They were letting a few in who may have had family buried there. We tried to slip in with some locals on a walk about but we were all denied. Who knows, I may have relatives buried there as my family is French but I couldn't convince the guards for permission without the language. They guards said the reason for closing was "catastrophic" but the locals were also very frustrated about the situation. They said it was due to liability and the general opinion, after seeing the broad walkways were perfectly clear, was that it was stupid.

It was disappointing after a long (but interesting) bus ride.

But thanks for your explanation. I have been experiencing this horrid weather, too.