Snowstorm paralyzes northwest

Even after the majority of residents in the area had power restored, around 45,000 remained cut off from electricity and running water. Power providers noted that some clients might have to wait for up to five days to have their service restored.

The problem began when snow damaged power lines and towers belonging to the two national grid networks which power the region. Electricity, heating and water were disrupted for most residents of the area, while mobile phone networks were overloaded.

The majority of shops were closed during the power outage, although the Treasury made an exception for those shops which did operate, allowing them to conduct business without using cash registers.

The full cost to the economy will not be known for some time, but businesses have already begun estimating their damages. Shipbuilder Stocznia Szczecińska Nowa has estimated its losses at zł.2.2 million, for example, while bourse-listed chemical producer Police noted that the lack of power had cost it between five and 10 million złoty.