Overseas Briefing Poitiers paralyzed by snow

Author: Elizabeth Bates

Three inches of snow and the world came to an end. At least, that's how the inhabitants of Poitiers, France seemed to feel about a week ago when they witnessed the worst winter weather anyone can remember. It started off as a mild dusting overnight that left the bare trees sparkling as though they were covered in Christmas tree lights. A dozen or so flakes managed to stick to the cobblestone streets here and there, causing travelers by car, moped, bike or foot to take extreme caution as they headed out the door to work in the morning. And that was already bad enough. Little did they know that by rush-hour that evening, the roads would be turning white and the sky would be full of relentless little, fluffy white things glittering happily in the street lamps.

Those lucky enough to make it home before the worst of the storm hit were plagued by phone calls from family members every five minutes: "I've made it another 20 meters! I've never seen anything like this! Oh look, there's our street. I didn't recognize it with all that snow on the ground!"

Five minutes later: "Turns out that wasn't our street. I thought it looked funny. But it's okay, I've moved another 15 meters back in the right direction. I'll call you if I get out of second gear."

And so on.

The next morning, the storm that had left a heavy blanket on the tiled roofs and sleepy bell towers had passed on to the southern regions of France, but Poitiers was left motionless. As the sun rose higher into the sky, the temperature remained well below the 0° C mark and showed no sign of following the sun's example. The buses refused to risk the unsalted or -sanded roads to take people to work, the cars sans snow-tires did not even think about leaving the garages and nobody was crazy enough to risk life, limb and warmth to head outdoors by bike or moped. Nobody seemed to know what to do.

A few brave souls managed to muster up hats, scarves, parkas and boots from the depths of some old clothing bin in the attics, of which could only have come from some crazy northern relatives who didn't realize how useless those clothing items would be in Poitiers. Once defended from the cold and the curious white substance by their doorsteps, they grabbed their cameras and courageously stepped outside into this bizarre world, eager to document such an historic moment.

But there was no rush. Much to the dismay of the Poitevins, the snow lasted nearly five days. While a few patches of the roads began to reemerge from their muddied blanket during the day, the streams of melted snow refroze overnight, leaving treacherous patches of black ice and only more cause for concern. Bosses told employees not to come to work by car, and even those who regularly walk had to allow extra time and take great care not to fall on the already uneven and now icy cobblestones. Even now that the snow has finally gone and life has returned to normal, you can still overhear excited conversations of the amazing wintry event that swept through the city and brought daily activity to a standstill.