– The neighbor came to the door – VG

Less than 2 hours ago

–

On Thursday night, Hoel and his cohabitant were making supper for the kids aged two and five and a half.

They live in Kinsarvik, in Sørfjorden, just inside the mouth of Hardangerfjorden.

The wind had so far been relatively calm here, according to Hoel, until Thursday night.

– We did not react to the fact that there was a lot of wind and that we had to secure loose objects. The sled boards that were set up next to the house wall are still there, he says to VG at 11.30 pm.

But the roof of the house is no longer where it should be.

Because even though the family heard a gust of wind just before 7 pm, they did not think much about it, other than that the five-and-a-half-year-old daughter thought it was a little scary.

Shortly after, the neighbor stood at the door. Most of the roof had blown off.

– The neighbor was on a walk with the dog and went straight to our house as the roof flew in his direction. Fortunately, it hit the house next door and not him, says Hoel, who is clearly surprised by the incident.

– We did not notice that the roof flew off. I did not think it was possible to avoid it.

– We also did not hear that it hit the house next door. We sat on the first floor, but it’s very strange that we did not get it with us. It was a big surprise when the neighbor came to the door and said no.

The roof had hit high up on the neighboring house, which, among other things, lost several roof stones as a result of the collision. According to Hoel, the neighboring family inside the house must also have noticed the collision.

The local community lined up

Hoel took the trip over to another neighbor, contractor Geir Atle Nedrevåg, to ask for help.

– Then it took two minutes from the time I knocked on his door until he was at our house. Soon after, his people came by crane truck to ensure people with harnesses and that we could more safely get an overview.

They were up on the roof. Here they got a good overview and could tell Hoel that there was a need to close around the chimney and the ventilation pipe, so that no water gets in there through the night.

The contractor also secured the last roof tile that is left on the house, in addition to securing the roof that is on the neighboring plot.

They also tried to put a tarpaulin over the house, but had to give up due to the strong wind on Thursday night.

Several have offered the family help after the incident.

– It took maybe a quarter of an hour before we received the first offer of an apartment we could live in, for an unlimited period, says Hoel.

In addition, people in the municipality have asked if there is anything the municipality can help with, and everything from friends, to family and colleagues still ask if they can contribute, he says.

– We are grateful for all the help we have been offered.

Fear water damage

The house is relatively new, which makes Hoel think the whole thing is extra wonderful. The roof of the house is flat, and according to Hoel it was a fairly small part of what protruded.

– That the wind has grabbed that part of the roof and lifted it all the way up, I thought was not possible. It has blown hard before, we have experienced storms where other objects and loose objects have moved quite a lot, but a roof should be on, anyway.

Since it was not possible to secure the house with tarpaulin, there is now a risk of water damage.

– I’ll be surprised if it’s not soft inside the house tomorrow. Most likely it will penetrate water into the night, he says and adds:

– But if there is moisture damage inside, we must try to save the contents. We still hope that it is dry tomorrow.

The family has now taken in the parents of Hoel’s cohabitant

– The kids have gotten to bed, and we try to digest what has happened. There is not much we can do before daylight and we can contact the insurance company, then they can take the job further.

Now the living situation is somewhat more uncertain for the family.

– We are prepared that we can not live there for a while in the future.

–