A historic winter storm has buried towns across Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula under more than seven feet of snow, forcing residents to dig tunnels through streets and vehicles in scenes resembling Arctic expeditions rather than urban life.

The extreme weather event—dubbed “Snowmageddon” by locals—unleashed relentless snowfall over several days, overwhelming infrastructure and paralyzing transportation across the remote Far Eastern region. Video footage circulating online shows residents carving narrow passageways through towering snowbanks, freeing cars buried almost entirely beneath compacted drifts.

City streets were transformed into deep snow corridors, with buildings partially submerged and vehicles reduced to barely visible outlines beneath the accumulation. In some areas, snow levels reportedly reached second-story height, blocking entrances and trapping residents inside homes.

Local authorities declared emergency conditions as crews struggled to clear roads amid continuing snowfall and freezing temperatures. Power disruptions, school closures, and suspended public transport were reported across multiple municipalities as emergency services prioritized access routes for medical and essential services.

Meteorologists described the storm as a once-in-a-generation event for the region, driven by a powerful system pulling Arctic air and moisture into the peninsula. Officials warned that recovery efforts could take weeks, with continued risks of avalanches and structural damage as snow loads strain buildings.

Despite the severity, footage shows residents working together to dig out vehicles and create makeshift pathways, underscoring both the scale of the storm and the resilience required to endure winter extremes in Russia’s Far East.