The number of evacuees is approaching 4,000, now that the water masses are moving south. Fjords and rivers overflow and put roads, houses and campsites under water. The flooding is still dramatic in several places in Eastern Norway.
Published: 11/08/2023
Updated: 11/08/2023 12:56
You can follow the development of the water flow in Eastern Norway in real time at the bottom of the case. We also broadcast directly from a helicopter over the affected areas. The signal may be unstable.
The huge bodies of water caused by the extreme weather Hans are heading south.
On Friday, NVE issued a yellow warning about the risk of landslides and flash floods in several municipalities in Viken and Innlandet. The warning has also been extended to Sunday. For parts of Innlandet and Viken there is still a red flood warning – the highest level.
A total of 3,600 people have been evacuated in Innladet and Viken, figures from NTB show on Friday morning.
Rising in Hamar
On Friday morning, Hamar Arbeiderblad reported that 200 residents of Hamar have received notices of increased water levels. 16 people have so far been evacuated.
According to NVE, the water in Mjøsa is expected to rise by 1 metre. The peak will be reached on Saturday, but the water level will remain high for several days.
The police are asking cabin owners to postpone the cabin visit due to damage to the infrastructure and the risk of avalanches. They emphasize that all available resources are in use, and that visitors can further increase the pressure in the flood-affected municipalities.
Avalanche risk in the center of Hønefoss
In Hønefoss, the water level is still high. On Friday morning, 1,844 people were evacuated in Ringerike.
Emergency manager in Ringerike municipality Magnus Nilholm reports landslide danger in large parts of central Hønefoss.
– It looks like the water masses are stabilizing, but then the risk of landslides in connection with erosion increases. The avalanche danger applies to large areas in central Hønefoss. After all, the rivers meander through the entire city. It can affect buildings on steep slopes, residential buildings and apartment blocks, he says.
This map shows the areas that were evacuated on Friday. Photo: Ringerike municipality
sea view
There has already been a landslide in a forest area along the river.
– Are there any buildings that have already been lost?
– We do not have an overview of the material losses because we cannot send people into the flood areas, he says.
This is how it looks in Hønefoss on Friday morning. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
sea view
– We have a large device that is ready if residential areas collapse. We constantly try to think a few steps further than where we are. We are ready to press an even bigger red button, says Nilholm to NTB.
It is currently unclear when the evacuees can move home.
The water in both Randselva and Randsfjord is still rising on Friday morning, and it is expected to rise by 40 cm until Saturday.
Caravans disappear into the river
In both the Glommavassdraget and the Drammensvassdraget there is great destruction.
At Bagnsdammen in Valdres, a camping car had to be fished out to avoid it hitting the dam. Owner of Aurdal fjord camping, Jan Opheim, confirms that the car comes from his campsite.
– 90 caravans are under water. Several have been taken off the power, but we have managed to push some of them into the ground, he says to Aftenposten.
Opheim had to wake up his guests at four in the morning on Friday. Then the water rose quickly into the square.
Campsites in Aurdal/Bagn have been badly affected by the flood.
1 of 5 Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
Opheim describes the situation as tragic and that the entire rest of the season is ruined. Infrastructure and water supply have been destroyed. Several guests went home, while others are stranded at the campsite without fresh water.
– The situation is precarious, he says.
At the same time, the water is high in large parts of Hønefoss. In the streets around the town hall, the water seeps upwards. A car workshop is under water. Along rivers all over Eastern Norway, large agricultural areas have disappeared under huge amounts of water.
Rises 2 meters
The high water level in Mjøsa and on Romerike will further cause the water in the Øyeren by Lillestrøm to rise by up to 2 metres. Flood peak is expected on Sunday or Monday.
There is therefore a red danger level in the area from Eidsvoll via Lillestrøm to Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad.
Normally, 800 cubic meters of water flows through Solbergfoss south of Øyeren. On Friday morning, it has increased to 2,300 cubic meters and will rise to 3,700 on Monday.
Øvre Eiker municipality has evacuated around 80 households located along the Drammensvassdraget at Hokksund. Here is a wheel loader turning in the affected area. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / NTB
sea view
Dramatic in Drammen
Drammen municipality and the residents along the Drammen river are also preparing for dramatic conditions.
The Tyrifjorden is expected to rise by 1.1 meters and reach the flood peak on Sunday. According to NVE, the water level in the Drammensvassdraget has stabilized at 3.1 metres. This will not rise much, but will remain high for several days while the water from the Tyrifjord flows through, they estimate.
Closed roads and train lines
Many road sections and train lines are still closed due to flooding, landslides, rockfalls, damage and clean-up work.
On Friday morning, NTB reports that 60 roads are closed at 110 points in the interior. Departures are set on 35 bus routes.
On the E6 Oslo-Trondheim through Gudbrandsdalen, 12 sections are closed.
On the E16 Oslo Bergen, two sections are closed over Fagernes and two over Haukelifjell. On national highway 7 through Hallingdal, seven sections are closed.
Several train lines are closed, including sections on the Dovrebanen, Gardermobanen, Rørosbanen and Bergensbanen. On Friday afternoon, Bane Nor reports that the Røros Railway will open for train traffic on Saturday.
In addition, Gjøvikbanen and Sørlandsbanen are closed due to work on the track.
Watch the video from the helicopter flight over the floodplains on Friday:
2023-08-11 10:07:30
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