Åre Flooded as Storm Hans Causes Severe Damage
Åre, Sweden – The town of Åre has been severely impacted by flooding caused by the intense rainfall brought by Storm Hans. The rescue service has been working tirelessly to mitigate the damage and ensure the safety of the affected residents.
During the night until Tuesday morning, the rescue service, with the help of excavators, made efforts to return the water to the stream. “The rescue service is concentrating on getting the flow back in the stream and then we will help in properties that have been affected. But I don’t have a clear picture of how affected the various buildings are,” says Henrik Jönsson from the rescue service in Åre.
Although the situation has improved slightly on Tuesday morning, the VMA (Warning for Public Danger) is still in effect at least during the morning. The water flow has decreased, and road E14, which was previously closed, has been opened.
Several properties have been flooded, while other lots have been undermined by the high water flow. Five police patrols are assisting the rescue service in their operations, ensuring that roads are blocked and no injuries occur.
Train traffic through Åre has been canceled due to damage to the rails caused by the heavy rain. The Swedish Transport Administration expects it to resume later this week. On Monday, the storm resulted in a train derailment in Hudiksvall, affecting 120 passengers. The administration is working to repair the tracks, and it is expected to take the entire week.
Storm Hans is predicted to reach its peak on Tuesday, with the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issuing red warnings for five counties, including the west coast, Skåne, and Gotland. Strong winds are expected, posing a risk of gusts. The worst affected areas are expected to be the west coast, where meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic warnings have been issued.
SMHI has also issued new warnings for Thursday and Friday, with orange warnings for flooding covering the southern parts of the country. However, the weather is expected to stabilize towards the weekend.
The residents of Åre are urged to stay vigilant and follow the instructions of authorities during this challenging period. The rescue service, police, and transport authorities are working tirelessly to minimize the impact of the storm and ensure the safety of everyone involved.