Villages evacuated in the Alps as snowdrifts reach several meters and avalanche danger rises

Snowdrifts rise, roads close, villages clear

Heavy snowfall has forced urgent evacuations in parts of the Swiss and Italian Alps.
New snow piled into drifts several meters high. Roads vanished under white walls. Access routes to mountain resorts closed, some completely impassable.

Hotels and tourist lodgings were emptied as authorities moved people out of exposed areas. Forecasts from meteorological services showed no sign that the snowfall would ease soon. The storm continued to feed the snowpack. The snow kept coming.

In Orsières, Switzerland, around 50 people were forced to leave their accommodation and find alternative lodging in safer locations or return home. Several buildings in La Fouly, Le Clou, Le Grandzey, and Ferret were evacuated as the risk grew through the day. Skiers were urged to remain on marked runs and to check avalanche bulletins before heading out.

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Avalanche alerts climb to the highest levels

Parts of Switzerland moved to the highest level of avalanche alert after a passenger train was derailed by an avalanche.
Across much of the Swiss and Italian Alps, the alert level remained at the second highest tier. Even at that level, authorities ordered evacuations in the most exposed villages.

The danger rose as snow accumulated rapidly on steep slopes. Fresh layers sat on unstable bases. Wind reshaped the snow into slabs. The slopes changed by the hour.

Emergency evacuation in Piedmont, Italy

The situation tightened in Piedmont, Italy.
Authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of the village of Rochemolles. The mayor, Chiara Rossetti, signed an emergency decree on Sunday evening that banned access to the village and closed all roads to pedestrians and vehicles.

The order affected around 40 people, including ten residents and 30 tourists. Residents left to stay with family and friends outside the settlement. The municipality organized a gathering point for tourists at the festival hall. From there, visitors were distributed to available accommodation in safer areas.

The decision followed warnings from the local avalanche commission. The alerts were based on reports from the meteorological and avalanche monitoring services ARPA and AINEVA, which track avalanche risk across the region.

Hurricane force winds reshape the snowpack

The storm brought more than snow.
Hurricane force wind gusts swept across high elevations. At the Grand Vaudala station, set at 3,272 meters, gusts reached 189 kilometers per hour.

These winds lifted and redeposited snow across ridgelines and slopes. Snow moved from one face to another. Cornices grew. Slabs thickened. Each shift increased the avalanche risk. The mountain terrain changed under the wind.

Snow totals climb, risk remains elevated

Switzerland and parts of northern Italy received up to 40 centimeters of fresh snow in recent days.
By the end of the day, snow depth in Orsières, Switzerland, was expected to reach around 70 centimeters from this event alone.

Snowfall was forecast to continue in the days ahead. Experts expected the tense situation to last at least 36 hours. The storm remained active. The snowpack continued to build.