Morristown News Roundup: Blizzard Cleanup, Rail Detours, and Community Events

Blizzard aftermath: what Morristown residents should know today (Feb. 24, 2026)

Morristown and the rest of Morris County are shifting from storm mode to cleanup, with plow operations, delayed schedules, and lingering travel impacts in spots where snow and wind piled up the most. 

The National Weather Service did not publish an official snowfall total for Morristown as of Monday, even as residents shared photos and local updates from around town (though by our own estimates, we received about 14-15 inches). However, nearby areas, like Chatham and Parsippany, recorded 20 and 18 inches, respectively. 

The Morris School District had a two-hour delayed opening today. And town officials want to remind us all to shovel out fire hydrants, creating a 3-foot perimeter around the hydrant for emergency crews. 

For a broader context, here is a snapshot of snow totals around Morris County and New Jersey:

Most Snow Recorded: Strathmore and Freehold in Monmouth County, NJ, recorded 26.5 inches and 26 inches, respectively.

Most Snow Recorded in Morris County: Chatham and Green Pond with 20 inches and 18.1 inches, respectively.

Other Morris County Locations via the National Weather Service:

1 NW Chatham 20.0 in 0800 AM 02/23 Trained Spotter
Green Pond 18.1 in 1245 PM 02/23 Trained Spotter
Parsippany 18.0 in 1200 PM 02/23 Public
Madison 0.8 WSW 16.8 in 0700 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Randolph 16.3 in 1100 AM 02/23 Public
Millington 15.2 in 0850 AM 02/23 Trained Spotter
Denville 14.5 in 0100 PM 02/23 Trained Spotter
Mine Hill Twp. 14.0 in 0700 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Butler 13.5 in 1145 AM 02/23 Public
Chatham 0.6 NE 13.0 in 0700 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Rockaway 2.5 N 13.0 in 0730 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Denville Twp 1.5 ESE 12.5 in 0700 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Rockaway 12.5 in 0800 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Kinnelon 1.4 SE 12.0 in 0700 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Butler 0.5 NE 12.0 in 0800 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Pequannock 12.0 in 1205 PM 02/23 Trained Spotter
1 SSW Brookside 11.5 in 0900 AM 02/23 Public
Randolph Twp. 2 E 11.0 in 0800 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Randolph Twp 2.1 ESE 10.5 in 0900 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Lake Hopatcong 9.0 in 0630 AM 02/23 Trained Spotter
Mendham 3.2 NNW 9.0 in 0700 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
Hopatcong 2.1 ENE 9.0 in 0800 AM 02/23 COCORAHS
1 SW Schooleys Mountain 8.7 in 0700 AM 02/23 CO-OP Observer
Ledgewood 6.0 in 0515 AM 02/23 Trained Spotter
1 WNW Long Valley 5.5 in 1100 AM 02/23 Public

Monthlong NJ TRANSIT detours: Morristown-area trains diverted as Portal Bridge cutover continues

Separate from the storm, Morristown-area rail riders are in the middle of a weeks-long disruption tied to Portal North Bridge cutover work, part of the broader Gateway Program. NJ TRANSIT’s advisory says weekday Midtown Direct service into Penn Station New York is suspended during the core work window, with Morristown Line service diverted to Hoboken and cross-honoring options for riders during the cutover period.

For Greater Morristown commuters, expect earlier departures, modified schedules, longer trips, and the likelihood of consolidations or cancellations as capacity tightens.

Who/What/Where/When/Why/How

• Who: NJ TRANSIT riders in the Morristown Line region and other Midtown Direct lines; Amtrak crews involved in corridor work.

• What: Weekday Midtown Direct diversions to Hoboken and schedule changes during Portal Bridge cutover work.

• Where: Northeast Corridor segment between Newark and Secaucus, affecting service patterns into Manhattan, with Morristown Line riders redirected.

• When: The cutover window runs through mid-March, with the most disruptive period centered in mid-February to mid-March.

• Why: Construction and signal/track work to transition service toward the new Portal North Bridge.

• How: Diversions to Hoboken and ticket/pass cross-honoring instructions published by NJ TRANSIT.

ICE purchase of Roxbury warehouse draws scrutiny and local opposition

Federal immigration enforcement plans in Morris County remain a major local story after reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement purchased a large 470,000-sq-ft warehouse on Route 46 in Roxbury previously owned by Dalfen Industrial. The New Jersey Monitor reported the facility is expected to be used as an immigrant processing center, part of a broader federal effort to expand capacity.

Patch, citing plans obtained by TAPinto Roxbury, reported the site is expected to function as a “regional processing center” and included estimates for average daily population of 1,000 to 1,500 and length of stays of three to seven days, as described in those plans. Local officials have raised concerns about municipal capacity and impacts, and the issue continues to draw public attention.

Who/What/Where/When/Why/How

• Who: ICE; Roxbury officials; area residents and stakeholders, and owners Dalfen Industrial.

• What: ICE purchase of a 470k-sq-ft warehouse in Roxbury and planning discussions about how it would be used.

• Where: A warehouse at 1879 Route 46 in Roxbury, Morris County, owned by Dalfen Industrial.

• When: Confirmations of purchase by town officials on Feb. 20, 2026, following weeks of reporting and confusion in February 2026.

• Why: Federal detention and processing capacity planning, with local opposition focused on resources and community impact.

• How: Property purchased from Dalfen Industrial, as confirmed Feb. 20th by town officials, for ICE operational plans reported by multiple outlets.

Morristown ONSTAGE goes on tonight at MPAC despite the blizzard week

While storm cleanup continues, Morristown ONSTAGE is still scheduled for tonight, Feb. 24, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. The Morris Educational Foundation describes ONSTAGE as its premier fundraiser and a showcase of amateur talent drawn from the greater Morristown community.

Despite the storm cleanup, “the show will go on” for ONSTAGE at 7 p.m., even as some events were canceled and school schedules were adjusted.

Who/What/Where/When/Why/How

• Who: Morris Educational Foundation, performers from the Morristown-area community, and MPAC audience members.

• What: Morristown ONSTAGE 2026, a live performance competition and fundraiser tonight at 7pm at Mayo PAC.

• Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown.

• When: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at 7 p.m.

• Why: Fundraising to support education-related programming through the Morris Educational Foundation.

• How: Ticketed live event with finalists judged by a panel, per event materials.

What we’re watching next

• Continued municipal cleanup and any updated local snowfall accounting as crews finish clearing streets, lots, and sidewalks.

• How the Portal Bridge cutover disruptions affect Morristown Line riders through the remainder of the work window.

• Next developments and public meetings tied to the ICE warehouse purchase and proposed use in Roxbury.

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