Drivers in Madrid had to be rescued from their cars today after unprecedented heavy snowfall caused by Storm Filomena wreaked havoc across Spain, leaving thousands of drivers stranded.

The M-30 and M-40 motorways near to the Spanish capital were among 400 roads on which traffic was affected by the heavy snowfall.

Madrid city council called on citizens to stay at home and avoid non-essential travel as a result of the unusual blizzard.

Ten regions, including the Spanish capital, were placed on red alert earlier today, with more heavy snowfalls predicted.

Speaking to Spanish television RNE from her car, one woman said: 'I drove to see my husband in hospital and have been stuck here for three hours. It's a journey which should take 15 minutes.'

The Spanish Unit for Military Emergencies, which deployed 147 soldiers to help stranded drivers, tweeted to say: 'We continue the rescue of vehicles on the A4, A5, M40 and M607.'

Emergency services said around 1,000 trapped motorists had been reached by the early hours of this morning.

Carlos Novillo, director of Madrid Emergencies, described the situation as critical but added: 'We're still working on reaching cars trapped on the M40 and M506 motorways.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9128869/Army-drafted-save-stranded-drivers-near-blizzard-hit-Spanish-capital.html

'We're going to reach everyone and help them get to safety.'

Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos added: 'We are in the grip of an historic storm and obviously it's had a huge knock-on effect on transport.'

On the A4 in Madrid, the Red Cross set out to deliver food packages to lorry drivers who were also trapped in their vehicles because of the snow.

Meteorologists had predicted Friday's snowfall to reach around 20cm with temperatures hovering around freezing.

Madrid also closed Barajas Airport on Friday night as a result of the chaotic weather which made flying impossible.

At least 50 flights to Madrid, Malaga, Tenerife and Cueta were cancelled as a result of the airport shutdown.

Aena, who controls all of Spain's airports, tweeted: 'Owing to the forecast of snow and for security, Madrid Barajas airport will remain closed throughout Saturday'.

The airport's closure came after the Real Madrid team were left trapped on a runway for four hours last night before being given a go-ahead to take off.

Skiers were seen gliding through the Puerta del Sol plaza in central Madrid, while one man was spotted making his way through the capital with his sled dogs.

Car salesman Javier Talanco took his five huskies out for a spin in surreal scenes after historic snowfall left the city looking more like Reykjavik.

Javier, who practices the dog-powered sport of mushing but normally in the mountains, treated the children of neighbours to rides on his sled after the heaviest snowfall in Madrid in at least 50 years.

He said afterwards: 'They have snow in their blood and as soon as they saw it out of the window, they started getting nervous and wouldn't stop playing.'

Deep freezer

Beautiful! I think the climate is healing since everyone has been home for almost a year now.

I need this kind of snow in Nigeria

No wonder Atletico's game was postponed

Activist001:
Beautiful! I think the climate is healing since everyone has been home for almost a year now.

I totally agree with this....

My dream country May God heal your land

See freezer

Snowfall is good sometimes but it's very challenging for the people who work outside the offices or work in transportation. They get lots of snow while driving a vehicle. if you are living in a country where snowfall is normal then you always have to carry a snow shovel with you. I am thinking to buy this snow shovel. If anyone is having any good suggestion then please let me know.

It's wild that a little bit of snow like that shut so much down, but I understand why though.

Righteousness is this a sign of the coming of the Lord?

HOLY SHIT
Love snow, God can you please make it snow right here in 9ja? Don't stress yrself, it's a rhetorical question. The straight answer is NO.
WHAT DA BLEEP IS HAPPENING