Mayor Wu Declares Snow Emergency; Key City Council Hearings Postponed

Mayor Wu Declares Snow Emergency; Key City Council Hearings Postponed

In response to a major winter storm moving through the region, Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a snow emergency and a citywide parking ban for Monday, February 23, 2026. The emergency measures, which took effect yesterday afternoon, have effectively shut down most in-person government operations across the city. Boston City Hall and all other municipal buildings are closed today, leading to the postponement of several high-profile legislative sessions and public hearings.

The closure of City Hall has forced the Boston City Council to cancel two significant committee hearings that were scheduled to address critical issues within the Boston Public Schools (BPS) system. The Committee on Education had been slated to discuss the following items:

• Docket #0200: A hearing focused on the impacts of BPS staffing programs and potential shifts in personnel allocation for the upcoming academic year.
• Docket #0166: A session regarding student-athlete transfer and eligibility policies, an issue that has seen increased attention from parents and school administrators recently.

Council officials have indicated that these hearings will be rescheduled once the city returns to normal operations, though new dates have not yet been finalized. Residents are encouraged to check the city’s legislative portal for updates on when these policy discussions will resume.

While physical offices are closed, Mayor Wu emphasized that the city’s emergency response teams are operating at full capacity. Public Works crews are working around the clock to clear priority routes and maintain access for emergency vehicles. The Mayor issued a statement urging residents to stay off the roads to allow snow-clearing operations to proceed safely. "We ask everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and warm, and stay off the roads to help our public works and public safety efforts," Mayor Wu stated during an emergency briefing.

Despite the widespread closures, some government-related community engagement is continuing in a virtual format. The Boston Planning Department has maintained its schedule for a virtual public meeting at 6:00 p.m. tonight regarding a development project at 400 Atlantic Avenue. Additionally, an abutters meeting for a proposed license upgrade at 272 Hanover Street in the North End is still expected to take place via Zoom this evening, allowing residents to offer testimony on local business proposals from their homes.

Emergency notifications remain active through the AlertBoston system. The parking ban currently prohibits vehicles from parking on major arteries and main roads, with the city warning that any cars left in these restricted zones will be towed. Trash and recycling services have also been delayed in several neighborhoods as the city prioritizes storm recovery and public safety.