Blizzard delivers more than a foot of snow

Posted Friday, February 27, 2026 12:14 pm

More than 45 pieces of snow equipment worked through the blizzard to keep the city safe.

Courtesy of City of Long Beach

Itai, left; Ryan Rochford; Robert; and Barry Silberstang created a giant snowman on the corner of Franklin Boulevard and East Market Street with help from the neighborhood.

Courtesy of Beverly Hansel Silberstang

The Long Beach boardwalk is an icon through rain, wind, snow and even blizzards.

Courtesy City of Long Beach

After the blizzard, the seashore became a snowshore.

Courtesy of Wendy O‘Donnell Goldstein

By Aidan Warshavsky

Just as Long Beach was moving on from January’s winter storm that brought close to a foot of snow, a new blizzard arrived, dumping even more.

The storm’s intensity, high winds, and blizzard conditions prompted Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency. Hochul also stationed 100 members of the New York National Guard across downstate New York and activated the state Emergency Operations Center in Albany.

Long Beach declared a snow emergency on Feb. 22, lasting three days. During the initial snowfall, crews worked with over 45 pieces of snow removal equipment. Long Beach spokesman John McNally told the Herald that the city began laying rock salt and sand on Monday after waiting for the storm to pass to avoid waste. “Each push utilizes around 80 to 100 tons,” he said.

State Assemblyman Ari Brown thanked village and town officials, as well as the Department of Public Works crews for their response during and after the storm.

The Long Beach Public Library, which was closed on Monday and Tuesday, said its homebound services would not be impacted by the storm. “We will still make deliveries to already registered patrons,” Tara Lannen-Stanton, the library director, wrote in an email.

Students across Long Beach enjoyed an extended break, as schools remained closed Feb. 23 and 24. “The snow days will not have an impact on the school calendar,” the district wrote in an email.

After the MTA and LIRR lifted their “proactive service suspension” in the early morning hours of Feb. 25, crews ran de-icing trains and cleared tracks on the Long Beach branch. Long Beach buses resumed service the day prior.

After the brunt of the storm passed and the city's snow removal was well-underway, recognition was given to the men and women who worked through the blizzard. “Behind the plows, payloaders, shovels, salters and dump trucks are the dedicated people who help our City weather the storms and keep us moving,” said City Council Member Michael Reinhart in a statement. “We have the best workforce there is and we want them to know how much their hard work is appreciated. On behalf of the City Council and our residents, thank you!”

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