Historic Blizzard

Historic Blizzard

As you all know, our community faced an unprecedented challenge with the historic blizzard on February 22, 2026, which dumped three feet of snow in Charlestown in a very short period. This storm created major obstacles for every city and town across the state, and our small community was no exception.

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to our residents for their patience, cooperation, and resilience during this event. Your understanding made a huge difference as our teams worked to keep everyone safe and connected.

A special thank you goes to our incredible DPW staff, who worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions. Unlike public safety departments across the state, which operate with multiple shifts over 24 hours, our DPW manages around the clock coverage with just one shift, a fact that is often overlooked. During the blizzard, white out conditions sometimes forced our crew to step off the roads for their own safety. Yet despite these obstacles, they remained committed to clearing roads and ensuring essential services reached those in need.

I also want to recognize the critical role of our DPW Administrative Assistant while not in a plow truck, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes, keeping the team organized and handling calls from residents expressing frustration when their roads were not immediately plowed, something they are used to seeing completed perfectly during normal snowfalls. Her dedication helped keep communication flowing and allowed the DPW crew to focus on what they do, which is to keep our roads open.

It’s important to note that, as in communities across the state, our standard plow equipment is not designed to move three feet of snow dumped in such a short period. In many cases, only large front-end loaders and other heavy equipment could make meaningful progress. Even with these challenges, our team brought in additional help and kept roads passable, allowing emergency services to operate and the town to begin recovery as quickly as possible.

This storm was a reminder of the strength and spirit of Charlestown. Thank you to every Town department, first responder, EMA, public safety dispatch, and resident who came together to support one another. It was a true community effort, and I couldn’t be more proud of how we all rose to the challenge.

Stay safe and thank you for being part of such a resilient community.

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Jeff Allen

Town Administrator