Storm emergency

All students in the Balearics were last night ordered to stay at home today as the region steps up to “second degree” weather alert. The Balearic government also advised companies and businesses to postpone all outdoor and labour intensive activity. The number of firemen on the ground has been doubled and yesterday afternoon the emergency control body met again to finalise preparations for the next barrage of hurricane winds and torrential rain expected within the following 36 hours. The weather forecast is in fact worse than initially thought, with winds expected to reach possible speeds of 130 kilometres per hour and the snow line falling to just 400 metres above sea level. The north and north east of the island took a battering yesterday. Pollensa and Alcudia, still yet to recover from the weekend's disaster, were swamped by torrential rain and winds and in Soller snow was already falling and temperatures plummeted. Snow chains were being used in some areas of the Tramuntana mountain range because of the snow and ice on the roads. Railway services were disrupted and a final decision on whether Inca's Dijous Bo agricultural fair will go ahead to day, will be made early this morning, but the event was in serious doubt last night. Even if it does go ahead, attendance will be very low, drivers are warned quite simply not to venture out on to the roads unless it is extremely necessary and parents are advised by the Balearic Ministry for Education not to bother taking their children to school today.