Snowy Woes in Austria: Over 20,000 Homes Still Without Power
Heavy snowfall continues to cause headaches for thousands of Austrian households, with energy suppliers estimating that at least 20,000 homes are still without power. The Weather Gods weren't quite done with Styria yet, knocking down a high-voltage pylon, plunging parts of the province into darkness.
Energie Steiermark, the local energy provider, reported that a staggering 265 power stations were still down on Sunday morning. It wasn't just households that were feeling the chill; Upper Austria, sharing a border with Germany, was also left in the cold. Things weren't looking any better for cell phone users, with numerous mobile phone stations failing to deliver service in the affected areas.
The snowfall began to subside on Sunday, but the roads were far from clear. The ÖAMTC traffic club reported that numerous roads were still blocked by fallen trees, causing further traffic headaches. Train services also suffered as the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) grappled with the aftermath of the storm. The avalanche risk in the mountains remained high, with more than half a meter of fresh snow having fallen since Saturday.
Crucial Details
- The weather conditions in Austria have been disastrous, resulting in widespread power outages, road closures, and affecting traffic flow.
- The heavy snowfall caused a high-voltage pylon to be knocked down in Styria, leading to a power outage in parts of the region.
- Energie Steiermark reported over 265 power stations still down as of Sunday morning.
- Thousands of households in Upper Austria, sharing a border with Germany, are also still without electricity.
- The hard-hit Styrian region saw mobile phone stations fail due to the snow, making it impossible to make cell phone calls.
- Austria's Fed Chancellery declared a state of emergency in affected regions, prioritizing electricity supply restoration and road clearance.
- Germany's energy firms have shown solidarity with their Austrian counterparts, offering support to help restore power as soon as possible.
Sources and Further Reading
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Note: The source data does not specify a restoration period for electrical supplies in Austria. For the most accurate information, please consult official reports or updates from Austrian utility companies or emergency services.
