Two landslides a short time apart were dramatic for a number of motorists on national highway 94 south of Hammerfest. A dozen cars were stuck on the stretch for 17–18 hours.
At 8pm on Monday evening, the police operations center announced that a plow truck was finally on its way to retrieve the cars. They would then be shipped south in the direction of Kvalsund.
Just before 10 p.m., the police said that most motorists had been given the opportunity to get out of the area. A taxi that had run out of electricity was left behind.
Three lorries are still left in the area, says lorry driver Rytis Glusauskas to NRK.
He has problems with the car and is waiting for roadside assistance to arrive from Hammerfest. It can only come when the road opens, and Glusauskas hopes that will happen on Tuesday.
Rytis Glusauskas has driven an all-weather route for five years – and is well prepared to manage in the car for a night or two.
Photo: Tor Even Mathisen
– I have refrigerated and frozen goods for Coop in Hammerfest. I will be here and make sure that the unit runs as it should and that the goods are not damaged. That’s why I can’t leave the car, says the driver.
From what Glusauskas can see, it is the mail van from Alta that is stuck about five hundred meters further south. Furthermore, there is another truck that he cannot identify.
He himself is in good spirits. After five years of driving between Troms and Hammerfest, over the harsh Sennaland, he is well acquainted with storms.
That is why he has also prepared: He has 26 degrees in the compartment and all the food and drink he needs, he tells NRK.
The church and the shop are open
Hammerfest municipality encourages all road users to turn around and follow the column back towards Kvalsund.
– We encourage those who have the opportunity to arrange accommodation with friends and acquaintances, writes mayor Terje Rogde in a press release.
The church in Kvalsund has opened the congregation house, which can receive those who need shelter. The parish house has a kitchen where you can prepare food and drink.
The local shop is also open, according to the municipality.
Patients and paramedics are evacuated by rescue helicopter on the landslide-stricken highway 94 south of Hammerfest.
Evacuated patients
On Monday afternoon, the rescue helicopter was put into use to retrieve two patients and paramedics who had been waiting for 12-13 hours, after the landslide occurred at Akkarfjord at 3 o’clock last night.
According to Eirik Palm at Finnmarkssykehuset, the ambulance initially assumed that it would be much faster to get out of the area. That is why the helicopter was not called earlier. It was not an urgent situation, and the patients were well looked after, says Palm.
New assessment on Tuesday morning
According to the Swedish Road Administration, new assessments will be made on Rv. 94 Kvalsund bridge – Hammerfest and Rv. 94 Leirvik in Hammerfest at 09:00.
The Meteorological Institute reports that local snowfall is expected in parts of Nord-Troms and Finnmark on Monday.
The yellow warning states that there may be locally difficult driving conditions due to snow packing on the road. Convoy driving may be introduced, and roads may be closed at short notice.
The barrier on the E69 and the Nordkapp tunnel was lowered on Monday morning due to storms.
Photo: Norwegian Road Administration
Closed and convoyed roads as of Monday at 9 p.m.:
Se vegvesen.no for updated information
E69 Repvåg–North Cape Tunnel. Column driving, last column 23.30. New assessment 09.00.
E69 Skarsvåg–Nordkapp: Closed due to bad weather. New assessment at 08:00 Tuesday.
E69 Normanset–Skipsfjord: Column driving.
Rev. 94 Kvalsund bridge – Hammerfest: Closed, new assessment 09:00, Tuesday.
Fv. 98 Ifjordfjellet: Column drive.
Fv. 98 Lakselv – Børselv in Porsanger, is closed from midnight to 05.00 due to bad weather.
Fv. 889 Snefjord – Havøysund in Måsøy: Closed due to the risk of avalanches and bad weather. New assessment on Tuesday at 11:00.
Fv. 888 Bekkarfjord–Hopsidet: Column driving. Can be opened at midnight.
Fv. 889 Kokelv – 889 Snefjord is closed due to bad weather. New assessment Tuesday at 06:00.
Fv. 889 Havøysund barrier – Snefjord is closed due to avalanches and the risk of avalanches.
Fv. 894 Kjøllefjord – Mehamnelv bridge: Column driving from 12:30.
Fv. 8024 Akkarfjordbotn – Finnelv is closed due to an avalanche. New assessment at 09:00.
Fv. 8026 Hønsebyhamn–Kjerringholmen is closed due to an avalanche. New assessment Tuesday at 12:00.
Fv. 8026 Akkarfjord–Strømsnes is closed due to bad weather.
Fv. 8026 (ferry) The ferry route Akkarfjord-Kjerringholmen has been cancelled.
Otherwise, it is reported as snow squalls and poor visibility in several places. The Swedish Road Administration also asks drivers to be aware of animals on the road, especially reindeer and moose.
A yellow warning for snow drifts was sent out on Sunday afternoon in parts of Troms and Finnmark.
Photo: Meteorological Institute
Yellow danger warning in Finnmark
From Hekkingen to Slettnes, a yellow danger warning for gales has been issued in Finnmark.
In the notice to the Meteorological Institute, it is stated that there may be a locally small storm.
A yellow danger warning for ship icing has been issued. This applies in exposed coastal and fjord areas in Western Finnmark.
In parts of Nord-Troms and Vest-Finnmark, snow is expected. That’s because of strong winds and fresh snow on the ground.
Have the right equipment in the car
The police in Finnmark wrote on Facebook before the weekend that there has been a lot of cold and bad weather in Finnmark lately. This has resulted in detours and closed roads.
– We want to remind everyone that the weather changes here in the north and it is important to have enough equipment to cope with the cold if the accident happens, the police write on social media.
They advise people to bring thick clothes, a flashlight, ice scraper, starter booster, a folding shovel, blanket, first aid kit, simple food and drink in the car.
2024-01-22 21:24:22
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