Some local authorities had opened 83 emergency shelters in schools and gyms near some of the vehicles. These facilities, however, were quickly filled to overflowing.
Last week, some of the ski resorts had closed because of a lack of snow. The snow that fell apparently caught ski resorts off guard. They were not prepared to handle the volume of snow on the roads – leaving a mess of traffic.
For those who managed to make it to the slopes, there was a real danger of avalanches. One of them did kill a skier.
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Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/thousands-stranded-in-french-alps-due-to-extreme-weather-1.2050014
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Graphics: Mine
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Keywords: Alps, drivers, stranded, traffic