SAVOIE, France, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Heavy snowfall in the French Alps has caused thousands of cars and motorists to be stranded in southwestern France for a second day as Europe absorbs the effects of the recent cold snap.
At least 15,000 motorists became trapped on roadways in the Savoy region, where they spent Saturday night in emergency shelters or huddled within their vehicles. Roads to popular ski resorts became blocked with vehicles, some without snow chains attached to tires. In some spots, journeys that normally take less than an hour were stretched into a full day.
French authorities said they rolled forward an emergency plan in 12 towns to give shelter to stranded holidaymakers. Gyms, schools and community centers in the area were opened for those seeking refuge.
At least two people died because of the weather, French media reports -- one when his vehicle slipped off the road in the Isere region Saturday and another in an avalanche on Sunday.
French authorities had issued a warning to avoid travel and take "utmost caution" driving on the roads. On Sunday forecasters in the country lifted an orange alert -- the second highest -- after snow and ice conditions improved.
The Telegraph reports that a majority of the busiest traffic coming and going from ski resorts in the Alps occurs on Saturdays, which added to the chaos.
The French Interior Ministry said 7,000 drivers out of an estimated 36,000 reached their destinations in Savoie, a department of the greater region of Savoy, on Saturday.
Meanwhile, strong winds in the rest of France caused the port of Calais in northern France and the gardens of Versailles to be shut down. Heavy snows caused traffic jams in Germany and hundreds of power outages in the United Kingdom.
