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“Filomena” keeps all Spain in suspense
© APA (AFP)
Happy Madrilenians in the snow, but also in mourning for several deaths in Spain: the worst winter storm in 50 years hit the interior of the country over the weekend. In Madrid and other parts of Spain, several tens of centimeters of snow fell on Friday and Saturday, causing chaos in traffic. At least three people died. Following the departure of the storm “Filomena” to the northeast on Sunday, the country now expects a historic cold snap.
Authorities were in a race against time to clear the streets of the blanket of snow before it freezes over the next few days with announced temperatures of minus 10 degrees. “Our goal is to take advantage of every minute before Monday when the temperature drops,” announced the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, on Saturday night on the La Sexta channel. However, it will be difficult to get around the capital until the end of the week. Therefore, all schools and universities must be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Emergency services tried to clear entrances to hospitals, which were already burdened by the Crown crisis, the mayor added. The President of the Government, Pedro Senchez, also asked this Saturday through the short message service Twitter that the population stay at home because of the snowfall “Filomena” and follow the instructions of the emergency services.
About 700 roads were closed across the country. 1,500 motorists who were trapped in the snow were freed with the help of cleaning vehicles. The meteorological services forecast that the cold wave, unusual in the country, will continue from Sunday night until Thursday.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced on Saturday that there had been three deaths. Among the dead was a man who was found buried under the snow in Zarzalejo, northwest of Madrid.
In Madrid there was more snow than in half a century. Some residents used the place to ski, for example in the famous Puerta del Sol square. You could even see a sled pulled by dogs.
The capital’s international airport had already ceased operations on Friday and should remain closed until at least Sunday afternoon. The army moved to clear the slopes of snow and ice. The train service to and from Madrid was also interrupted. The Atlético de Madrid-Bilbao soccer match was postponed until further notice because the Basque team could not attend.
On Wednesday, an unofficial national temperature record of -34.1 degrees was measured at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters at the Clot de la Llança private weather station, in the center of the Spanish Pyrenees.
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