Madrid Begins Filomena Clean Up
Madrid has woken up this morning caked in frozen snow from the after effects of the heaviest snowfall seen in the region in 50 years.
Up to 50 cm of snow was recorded in Madrid from Storm Filomena.
Barajas Airport remains closed as do the RENFE overland train services – but both are expected to open later today.
Madrid’s regional and capital bus services run by EMT remain closed until the roads have been cleared of snow.
Madrid´s city council and Spanish military UME emergency services have deployed snowploughs and salting vehicles throughout the region.
Madrid’s main motorways including the radial M30 and M40 are being cleared with one lane now open each way on the M30.
More than 700 vehicles were abandoned by their drivers on the M30 and the city council has provided a free towing service to municipal vehicle pounds.
City Hall has called upon inhabitants to help out clear the snow in local neighbourhoods.
Madrid’s metro service is running 24 hours and 4 stations have been designated to shelter homeless people.
Two people have been confirmed to have died as a result of the snow including one homeless person found frozen to death in the Carabanchel district of the capital.
The Madrid regional premier, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, announced yesterday that schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday with virtual classrooms in operation.