Governor Lamont Declares State of Emergency, Limits Commercial Vehicle Travel Ahead of Approaching Major Winter Storm

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has declared a state of emergency ahead of the major winter storm that is anticipated to impact Connecticut this weekend.

Additionally, he has signed an order prohibiting commercial vehicles - such as permitted vehicles, trucks, RVs, tractor trailers, tankers, and vehicles with trailers - from traveling on all limited access highways in Connecticut beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and remaining in effect until further notice. A separate announcement will be made by the Office of the Governor when it has been determined that the order regarding commercial vehicle travel can be lifted.

"This storm is going to significantly impair the ability to safely drive, and we want to get the word out that it will be extremely dangerous to be on the roads," Governor Lamont said. "Do not risk your life and the lives of others. I am strongly urging everybody to make plans now to be at a specific location on Sunday morning and remain there for the duration of the storm, which is likely to continue overnight and go into at least Monday morning."

The order prohibiting commercial vehicle travel does not apply to emergency response and recovery vehicles, including public safety vehicles, utilities vehicles, and vehicles carrying essential personnel or supplies.

Limited access highways are generally those that are designed to carry large volumes of traffic and have controlled access with on and off ramps. (For a list of limited access highways in Connecticut, click here.)

Declaring a state of emergency provides the governor with the authority to take certain actions necessary to protect public safety during emergency situations, such as the implementation of vehicular restrictions on state roads.

**Download: Declaration of a civil preparedness emergency
**Download: Order implementing a commercial vehicle travel ban