Southern Norway hit by flooding and rail chaos

Storm Frida has left extensive problems in its wake in Vestfold and Buskerud.

 

A substantial part of Mjøndalen town centre was flooded for periods during the night and several streets were evacuated by police due to the risk of landslide. The municipality has established a crisis shelter at the town hall. 

 

"Several dozen people have been evacuated from their homes in both Nedre- og Øvre Eiker. The fire department has deployed boats to help evacuate people from their homes in the city centre and Krokstadselva," said Olav Myrvold at southern Buskerud police.

 

A Sea King rescue helicopter has been put on standby to assist with the evacuation if there was an emergency. 

 

While there have been widespread reports of material damage there have been no reports of any serious injuries. Several motorists however ran into problems on the roads during the night as a result of the massive amounts of water which resulted from several rivers breaking their banks. 

 

Norway's national rail operator NSB reported service interruptions. The Sørlandsbanen and Randsfjordbanen have been closed as well as all traffic from Kongsberg, affecting services to Stavanger, Kristiansand and Bergen.

 

In Skotselv there were reports that water has rendered the roads impassable and that houses have subsided.

 

"Several roads are closed due to the large amounts of water and landslides. Among others, the E134 through Steinberg, RV283 by Horgen, Route 35 and RV22 are all closed." Olav Myrvold said.

 

"There has also been an avalanche around has also been an avalanche around Hermanbakken in Nedre Eiker and two landslides on highway 35 between Åmot and Hokksund."

 

Meteorologists had warned that 100 millimetres of rain would fall over the affected counties.

 

In the Vestfold village of Hof some 70 millimetres of rain fell in just one hour, according to YR.no.