Spring Snow Storm Wreaks Deadly Havoc In The Alps
3 minute readPublished: Friday, April 18, 2025 at 12:12 am
Rare Spring Snowstorm Cripples the Alps, Leaving Chaos and Tragedy in its Wake
A powerful and unusual spring snowstorm has slammed the Alps, bringing widespread disruption and tragedy to Switzerland, Italy, and France. The storm, which dumped over a meter (3.3 feet) of snow in a matter of hours, has left at least one person dead and caused significant chaos across the region.
The hardest hit areas saw ski resorts cut off, roads and railways closed, and schools shuttered. In Italy's Piedmont region, a 92-year-old man was found dead in his flooded home. In the French resort of Val Thorens, a woman suffered a cardiac arrest after being caught in an avalanche. Authorities have closed several French ski resorts due to the high avalanche risk.
The sheer volume of snowfall caught many by surprise. In Tignes, France, residents were ordered to stay indoors after more than 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) of snow fell overnight. The Swiss town of Sion, with a population of 36,000, also urged residents to remain home.
The storm's impact extends beyond the immediate snowfall. Roads are blocked by fallen trees and the risk of avalanches, leading to the closure of major routes, including the Mont Blanc tunnel. Dozens of trucks were stranded on the A43 highway. Power outages affected over 3,300 homes in the Savoy region of France. Flooding is also a major concern, with the highway from Turin to Aosta in Italy closed and homes evacuated in the Aosta valley. Parks in Milan have also been closed due to flooding and strong winds.
The unusual nature of the storm is highlighted by residents, with one retiree in Savoy stating he's only witnessed such extreme snowfall a handful of times in 40 years. The potential for flooding as the snow melts is a growing concern for residents.
BNN's Perspective: While the immediate impact of the storm is devastating, it's important to remember that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. This event underscores the need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness in vulnerable regions, as well as a continued focus on understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Keywords: Alps, snowstorm, avalanche, flooding, Italy, France, Switzerland, ski resorts, weather, extreme weather, spring snow, Mont Blanc tunnel, power outage, Tignes, Sion, Aosta, Milan, climate change, natural disaster.