In the small town of Heby, located by the river, residents are dealing with severe flooding after heavy rainfall. One family, in particular, is facing significant damage to their home. Kristina Renemar Egebrink woke up on Saturday morning to find their ground floor covered in brown water.
The basement, which is usually furnished like the rest of the house, was now a mess. Moldings had come off the walls, furniture was destroyed, and even the cats’ scratching toys were floating around. Despite the devastation, Kristina managed to find humor in the situation, claiming that she could hardly do anything but laugh.
The flooding in Heby is so extensive that the river is completely flooded. Usually, their house is about 40 meters away from the river, but now the water is only ten meters away. The source of the water is uncertain, whether it flowed in or came from below the ground. The family is currently attempting to pump out the water and will be contacting their insurance company for assistance.
Heby, as a whole, is severely affected by the floods. Many buildings are partially submerged, and several roads are impassable. People in the community have come together to support and help each other during this difficult time. Annika Malmborg, a holiday homeowner in Heby, expressed her sympathy for those whose homes are directly affected by the floods. She highlighted the need for people to talk, inform, and assist each other.
Meanwhile, Anders Ramström from Romfartuna, north of Västerås, is also facing basement flooding due to an overflowing nearby stream. He has been forced to sleep in his caravan, as his bedroom in the flooded basement is no longer usable.
The heavy rains and subsequent flooding have caused chaos in several parts of the region. Residents are struggling to reach their insurance companies for assistance, with long waiting times on the emergency helpline. The situation is further complicated by the uncertainty surrounding the extent of the damage, the insurance coverage, and the steps homeowners can take to mitigate the impact.
As the area continues to deal with the aftermath of the floods, it is clear that the road to recovery will be long and challenging. But resilient residents like Kristina Renemar Egebrink and Anders Ramström are determined to rebuild and start anew despite the hardships they face.