Hundreds of people in Croatia were forced to spend the night in their cars, at gas stations, and in reception centers Monday after a snowstorm over the weekend caused traffic to come to a halt and left parts of the country inaccessible. The sudden change of weather after a period of mild days also affected Serbia and Bosnia, leaving areas in western Serbia without power and halting railway traffic to Montenegro.
Croatian authorities shut down roads leading to and from the Adriatic Sea coastline due to the snow and strong winds. Many vehicles and buses were parked along the main Croatian highway, waiting to move on. Officials urged people to delay any planned trips.
Approximately 300 people stayed in the reception centers established in response to the situation, while others found shelter in private accommodation. Hundreds of people were stuck in buses and cars or in gas station cafes which opened their doors to stranded motorists and passengers. Soccer fans traveling from Zagreb to Split were among those stuck on the way.
In Serbia, the state railway company reported that trains to Montenegro were not running due to fallen trees and power outages near the two countries’ border. The towns of Prijepolje and Bajina Basta were without electricity overnight Sunday to Monday.
In Bosnia, heavy snow and wind slowed down traffic throughout the country, particularly in the mountains. Landslides and fallen trees added to the difficulties, and traffic authorities warned people to be careful.