BARCELONA -- Forecasters said that snowfalls of up to 20 inches are likely to hit the worst affected areas of the region of Catalonia, forcing the regional government to suspend classes at 476 public schools involving over 142,000 students.
Power outages were reported throughout the region, with energy company Fecsa-Endesa reporting that about 200,000 consumers are without electricity, majority in the province of Girona.
Regional interior minister Joan Boada said that emergency services personnel helped in the evacuation of about 500 stranded train passengers who were traveling between Barcelona and Portbou, on the French border. The train was stuck due to the lack of power in the area.
Furthermore, thousands of commuters struggled to find alternative routes to get home after the blizzard prompted the cancellation of bus services in Barcelona and the shut down of five train lines in the city.
The metro system was ordered by Barcelona city hall to stay open overnight to help people move around the city.
Meanwhile, public television TVE reported that traffic on more than 60 roadways in Catalonia was either restricted or prohibited. Spain's border with France at La Jonquera was also shut down due to the snow, leaving about 4,000 trucks stranded.
Girona airport officials said that 21 flights were cancelled and nine others were diverted to other cities because of the snow and strong winds.
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