at 8:08 AM by Mallory Schnell

Heavy Snow Causes Traffic Chaos in the Alps

Traffic chaos erupted in the French Alps on Saturday after heavy snow fell on the region of Savoie. Saturday night (local time), 15,000 were trapped on the roads as stranded tourists were being taken in by emergency shelters. A key road in the Tarentaise Valley became blocked early Saturday morning, due to the delay of people putting snow chains on their cars; this delay caused a greater traffic backup as the day progressed.

According to the French Minister of Interior, Bernard Cazeneuve, 36,000 vehicles were expected in the Tarentaise Valley – but the capacity was only for 7,000 to pass through (The Telegraph). Only cars that had snow chains were allowed to pass through the valley, causing many to be stranded.

In addition to the traffic backup, 2,063 people were stranded in the Chambéry airport. Accommodations were made to try and house the stranded travelers, as emergency shelters were set up in 12 locations across the Savoie region. A forecast of up to two feet of snow caused travelers to flock to the Alps after a slow start to the season; however, heavy snowfall caused major traffic issues for those headed toward the ski resorts for a holiday.