Overview

• Storm Hans has caused record-breaking snowfall, exceeding one meter in parts of the Alps, and heavy rains in northern Italy, leading to severe flooding and landslides.
• Four fatalities have been confirmed, including a British tourist killed in an avalanche in Val Thorens and a father-son duo swept away by floodwaters near Vicenza, Italy.
• Authorities have declared maximum avalanche risk (5/5) across several Alpine regions, closing ski resorts, roads, and schools, with residents in towns like Sion and Tignes ordered to stay indoors.
• Transport networks remain disrupted, with train delays, road closures, and thousands of homes in France, Italy, and Switzerland still without power due to the storm.
• Emergency services are conducting search and rescue operations, while officials warn of ongoing risks from avalanches and potential flooding as temperatures rise.