BCREPC Situational Report #005 – February 23, 2026 (6:30 PM)
Incident or Event Overview
Situation
Barnstable County continues coordinated response operations as a historic winter storm impacts Cape Cod and the Islands.
Although the storm center has moved east of the region and snowfall is tapering from west to east, significant impacts continue across Cape Cod, including:
• Residual heavy banded snowfall in some areas
• Strong wind gusts gradually diminishing but still capable of bringing down weakened trees and limbs
• Blowing and drifting snow in exposed areas
• Widespread power outages across multiple communities, with restoration ongoing
• Snow-covered and hazardous secondary roads, with some remaining impassable
• Communications disruptions in select areas
• Continued shelter demand and human services support needs
There are approximately 155,000 customers without power across Cape Cod at this time. Widespread outages remain and restoration efforts are ongoing.
Regional coordination remains active through the Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC), with ongoing collaboration among county departments, municipalities, public safety agencies, utilities, nonprofit partners, and state agencies.
The next regional coordination call is scheduled for 10:00 AM tomorrow as operations continue to transition from active response toward sustained restoration and initial recovery.
Travel Restrictions
A statewide travel ban remains in effect for Barnstable County.
Exempt from the travel ban include:
• Public safety personnel and vehicles
• Public works and transportation personnel
• Utility company vehicles and restoration crews
• Government personnel conducting official business
• Emergency shelter and human services personnel
• Healthcare workers and those supporting healthcare facilities
• Individuals traveling for urgent critical medical care
• News media
• Private sector snow removal personnel
• Personnel supporting critical infrastructure and essential services
Travel to a designated emergency shelter for safety purposes is permitted.
However, road conditions remain hazardous and many secondary roads are impassable. Residents are strongly urged to remain off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary for safety.
Impacts/ Potential Impacts
Snowfall
Heavy banded snowfall continues across portions of Cape Cod, with additional accumulation tapering west to east this evening. Blowing and drifting snow continues to reduce visibility in some areas.
Timing and Travel Impacts
Snow is expected to taper through the evening hours, with winds gradually diminishing overnight.
Secondary and neighborhood roads remain difficult to impassable in many communities. Travel remains dangerous and is strongly discouraged.
Wind and Power Impacts
Strong wind gusts persist across the region and may continue to cause tree damage and scattered power outages.
Winds are expected to gradually decrease overnight but will remain gusty into tomorrow.
Widespread outages remain across Cape Cod, with restoration efforts ongoing.
Coastal Impacts
Minor coastal flooding is expected along the Massachusetts coast south of Boston, including Cape Cod and the Islands.
Low-end moderate flooding is possible in localized areas of Cape Cod Bay from Sandwich to Dennis and Nantucket Harbor.
Beach erosion is possible in vulnerable locations.
Cold Temperatures
Temperatures will drop overnight and into tomorrow night, with lows expected in the mid-teens.
Cold conditions will increase risks for residents without power or heat and may prolong hazardous conditions.
Utilities, Health, and Transportation Readiness (Cape Cod & Islands)
Utilities
Eversource reports widespread damage to both distribution and transmission systems across Cape Cod due to heavy snow, strong winds, and difficult access conditions.
Utility crews are staged at:
• Cape Cod Mall
• Falmouth Walmart
• Yarmouth Area Work Center
Additional crews from off-Cape are arriving beginning tomorrow morning to support restoration efforts. Overnight crews remain active but at reduced staffing until full operations resume.
Each Cape Cod municipality has been assigned a dedicated Eversource liaison to coordinate local priorities, including:
• Blocked roads
• Downed wires
• Electrical hazards
• Hospital and critical facility access
Due to the extent of storm damage and limited access to infrastructure, most customers without power tonight are likely to remain without service until at least tomorrow.
Some restoration efforts may extend into Wednesday or longer as crews work to access damaged areas and complete repairs.
Healthcare
Cape Cod Hospital remains on generator power and is operating for surgeries and emergencies only.
Staff are being transported as needed.
Several Cape Cod Healthcare facilities are closed, with Falmouth Hospital, JML, Heritage, and pediatric services remaining open.
Transportation
Road conditions remain hazardous and, in some areas, impassable.
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority anticipates limited service tomorrow, conditions permitting. Residents needing transportation to shelters should coordinate locally where possible.
Regional Shelter Update & Sheltering and Vulnerable Populations
The following regional shelters are currently open or opening to support residents impacted by extended power outages and unsafe conditions.
Nauset High School (Eastham) CLOSED
Operational since Sunday evening
Approximately 40 individuals sheltered
At capacity and closed to additional intake
Heat restoration improving
Barnstable Intermediate School
Currently serving 13 individuals
Operational and stable
Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School
Opening tonight at 8:00 PM
Prepared to receive additional shelter demand
Residents seeking shelter are encouraged to:
• Bring medications and essential medical supplies
• Inform family or friends of their destination
• Pets are permitted at regional shelters (bring supplies if possible)
• If leaving home due to outages, leaving a porch light on when power returns may help indicate restoration
• Shelters are intended for residents with unsafe conditions, medical needs, or no heat.
• Power loss alone may not require sheltering unless conditions become unsafe.
• Family Table Collaborative is providing food support to shelters.
• American Red Cross and partner agencies are supporting shelter operations and staffing.
• Residents dependent on electricity for medical equipment such as oxygen are encouraged to plan for alternate power or shelter if outages occur.
Additional Warming Locations
Provincetown Community Center
• Opening at 7:00 PM as a warming space
Family Table Collaborative
• 1338 Route 28, Yarmouth (former Riverway Lobster House)
• Open to the public and emergency personnel
• Providing hot soup, drinks, warming space, and support to shelters
Transportation Assistance to Shelters
Chatham residents needing transportation to shelter may call:
Chatham Emergency Operations Center: 508-945-5191
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) Residents needing transportation assistance to a regional shelter may call the CCRTA shelter transport line at 508-385-1433 beginning tomorrow to coordinate travel, subject to road conditions and safety considerations. Travel to shelters is permitted under the statewide travel ban; however, hazardous conditions and impassable secondary roads may limit movement in some communities.
Multi-Agency Coordination
The Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) remains operational and coordinating response efforts across the region.
Partners include:
• Local emergency management
• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
• AmeriCorps Cape Cod
• American Red Cross
• Medical Reserve Corps
• Salvation Army
• Regional nonprofit and volunteer partners
Resource requests continue to be routed through the MACC to MEMA and state partners as needed.
National Guard and additional state resources remain available should local needs exceed capacity.
Preparedness and Safety Information
Residents are urged to:
• Remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary
• Prepare for extended power outages
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and vulnerable residents
• If safe to do so, assist neighbors who may need help clearing a doorway, vent, or access path to ensure they can exit safely in an emergency
• Use generators outdoors only and away from windows and doors
• Stay clear of downed wires and report hazards
• Dress warmly and limit time outdoors as temperatures drop
Stay Informed
For additional information and updated forecasts, see www.weather.gov/boston (National Weather Service Norton) and www.weather.gov/albany (National Weather Service Albany)
Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html
Online Resources/Links
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency www.mass.gov/mema
MEMA Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA
MEMA Twitter @MassEMA
Mass211 www.mass211.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov
National Weather Service Boston/ Norton, MA www.weather.gov/boston
