ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. — A powerful winter storm that barreled through the Lower Hudson Valley on Sunday, January 25, 2026, blanketed Rockland County with well over a foot of snow, creating treacherous travel conditions, widespread closures, and a countywide mobilization of highway, police, fire, and emergency services. The storm — quickly dubbed “Snowpocalypse 2026” — ranked among the most disruptive snow events the county has seen in years.
Snow began falling early Sunday morning and intensified through the day, at times accumulating at rates of one to two inches per hour. By evening, many communities reported totals exceeding 12 inches, with some areas approaching 15 to 16 inches. Temperatures hovered in the teens, complicating road treatment efforts and prolonging hazardous conditions.
County Highway Crews Battle Relentless Conditions
Charles “Skip” Vezzetti, Superintendent of the Rockland County Highway Department, said conditions remained dangerous well into the evening hours as snow mixed intermittently with sleet and potentially freezing rain.
“Most of the main roads are passable, but they’re still snow-covered,” Vezzetti said during a Sunday afternoon update. “We really don’t advise anybody to be out unless they absolutely have to.”
Vezzetti explained that county and state crews focused on keeping major arteries open while conserving salt during the heaviest part of the storm. With temperatures near 17 degrees, road crews relied on a combination of plowing, salt, and liquid de-icers once snowfall eased.
Preparation for the “Snowpocalypse” began days earlier. Highway crews held pre-storm briefings, reviewed protocols, and applied salt brine for anti-icing ahead of the storm. “We salt, then we plow,” Vezzetti said. “Once the snow stops, we push it back and then salt the roads real good.”
Crews worked more than 12-hour shifts, with rotating breaks to manage fatigue. Overnight, a reduced number of trucks remained on patrol to monitor road conditions before full crews returned between 4 and 5 a.m. Monday.
Vezzetti also issued a stern reminder to private plow operators and landscapers. “Pushing snow back into the roadway is illegal,” he said. “If they’re caught, charges can be filed. It creates a serious hazard for drivers.”
Stony Point: Residents Heed Warnings, Roads Remain Quiet
In the Stony Point, Town Supervisor Amy Conklin-Stamm reported snowfall totals of at least a foot by late afternoon, with more expected into the evening.
“Our highway guys started between six and seven this morning and have been working straight through,” Conklin-Stamm said. “They can clear a neighborhood, and five minutes later it’s snow-covered again.”
Despite the conditions, residents largely stayed off the roads. Police reported minimal calls for service and only one disabled vehicle during the height of the storm — a sign, officials said, that public warnings were being taken seriously.
Stony Point’s Highway Department manages nearly 54 miles of town roads across 10 plow routes, many of them narrow, hilly, and winding. Each route can take three to four hours to complete during heavy snowfall. Cleanup operations were expected to continue through the week, with the bulk of work concentrated on Monday.
Town parks crews also remained active, clearing municipal parking lots and critical facilities such as police headquarters, town hall, and justice court buildings.
Clarkstown Faces Heavy Snow, Fire Emergency Amid Storm
Further south in Clarkstown, Town Supervisor George Hoehmann described the “Snowpocalypse” as one of the most significant snowfalls the town has experienced in recent memory.
“We’re well over a foot — probably 14, 15, maybe 16 inches,” Hoehmann said. Clarkstown’s Highway Department worked to maintain 56 plow routes covering roughly 300 miles of roadway. With snowfall rates exceeding an inch per hour, officials acknowledged that even doubled plow capacity would not have prevented accumulation.
Compounding the storm’s challenges, emergency responders battled a structure fire at 609 Broadway in Upper Nyack during the height of the blizzard. Five volunteer fire departments — Nyack, Valley Cottage, Congers, Piermont, and West Nyack — responded alongside police, ambulances, and paramedics. One firefighter sustained a leg injury and was treated at the scene. The fire was contained, though residents were displaced.
“Think about that — battling a fire in these conditions,” Hoehmann said. “Our volunteer firefighters, EMS, and police were incredible.”
Services Suspended, Schools Closed Countywide
Snowpocalypse 2026 forced widespread cancellations and service disruptions across Rockland County and neighboring communities.
In Clarkstown:
- The Mini-Trans bus service was suspended until at least Monday afternoon.
- Monday garbage and recycling collection was canceled.
- Senior club meetings and all community center activities were called off.
School districts across Rockland County, including Clarkstown, North Rockland, Nyack, Pearl River, Suffern, East Ramapo, and South Orangetown, announced closures for Monday. Rockland Community College and BOCES programs were also closed, while some private and religious schools shifted to remote learning.
Officials warned residents to remain cautious even after plowing operations conclude. Large snow piles in commercial parking lots pose sightline hazards, and prolonged cold temperatures increase the risk of refreezing and black ice.
A County United Under Snow
As Snowpocalypse 2026 slowly loosened its grip, officials across Rockland County emphasized patience, safety, and appreciation for the crews working around the clock.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Hoehmann said. “We’ll be cleaning this up for days.”
