Blizzard of 2026: Riverhead extends travel ban, schools to close again

Updated snowfall totals, highest wind gusts in the area

People are continuing to shovel themselves out of the historic snowfall from the Blizzard of 2026. Streets are mostly cleared, but mounds remain. The National Weather Service released updated snowfall totals for Riverhead and North Fork communities, and they are nothing to sneeze at.

Orient saw 26.5 inches of snowfall, while Mattituck saw 23.3 and Shelter Island saw 21.1. Greenport, Southold and Cutchogue were not reported. Riverhead also saw 22.5 and Jamesport saw 16.6.

The National Weather Service also released the highest wind speeds communities saw.

Southold had a top speed of 69 miles per hour, Mattituck had 44 and Orient had 41. Other North Fork communities were not reported.

Baiting Hollow saw a top speed of 68 miles per hour and Shoreham saw 55. Riverhead was not reported.

2 p.m. update : Riverhead extends travel ban, schools close Tuesday

Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin on Monday extended a ban on non-essential travel to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, to help road crews clear the massive snowfall from the powerful nor’easter that has battered the region.

All town facilities, including yard waste, will also remain closed through Tuesday. Residential curbside trash pickup is also canceled. Any garbage normally picked up on Tuesday must be put out on the next regular pick-up day, the town said.

The Riverhead Central School District and Shoreham Wading-River School District both announced on Monday that they will be closed for another snow day on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Mr. Halpin said he has been in communication with the Riverhead Police Department, Riverhead Highway Department and the buildings and grounds crew on these next steps.

The town-wide ban excludes snow plows and emergency vehicles.

“It is still extremely unsafe,” Mr. Halpin told Riverhead News-Review in a text. “They are recommending we keep everyone off the roads.”

The town will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates on any further closures as needed. For the latest information, contact the town directly at (631) 727-4500 or visit townofriverheadny.gov.

The historic Blizzard of 2026 dumped nearly two feet of snow on Riverhead since slamming the region Sunday and another 3 to 7 inches is expected to fall into late Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Between 19.7 and 22.5 inches of total snow have been reported as of Monday morning in Riverhead. The NWS recorded 6 to 7 inches in Jamesport and 8 to 10 in Manorville on Sunday night.

The Riverhead Town Highway crews have been working around the clock to clear the roads, but due to winds gusting up to 60 mph, they are far from finished.

“In 32 years, I’ve never seen a worse storm,” highway superintendent Mike Zaleski said on a call Monday morning. “It’s just such a snail’s pace because of the conditions — the amount of snow and the wind just made the difficulty times 10.”

Mr. Zaleski said the highway department is having a difficult time keeping the main roads clear. The north-south farming roads that are prone to snow drifts were also hit hard. Some of the snow plows got stuck as well. He said his crews are most likely going to need another day to clean up the blizzard aftermath.

A countywide travel ban is in effect until 3:30 p.m. today. Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin also issued a non-essential travel ban on all Riverhead roads on Sunday afternoon. The ban has helped keep people off the roads during snow plowing, Mr. Zaleski said. However, he said he would like to see it extended to Tuesday morning.

Parking remains prohibited on either side of Riverhead roadways, according to the supervisor’s proclamation issued on Sunday. Violators of any local emergency order are guilty of a Class B Misdemeanor and could face up to $500 in fines or 90 days in jail, the proclamation said.

PSEG Long Island said the storm has downed trees, branches and wires, and is currently affecting 15,118 of 1.2 million customers across Long Island and the Rockaways. Over 5,000 customers have had power restored so far.

An outage impacting 67 customers near Doctor’s Path and Sound Avenue in Riverhead is currently being assessed by PSEG, according to its power map.

The Cross Sound Ferry canceled all departures on Monday due to the storm. The Long Island Railroad suspended all service as of 1 a.m. Monday.

Riverhead Central School District and Shoreham-Wading River Central School District closed on Monday for snow days. Riverhead Town Hall is also closed due to the weather.

This story will be updated as more information comes in.