A house was on the verge of tipping over in Breskelivegen in Bø, Midt-Telemark. Heavy rainfall and water from waterways are believed to be the cause.
The Bø river is overflowing its banks in several places in the municipality.
This has led to significant flooding and several homes in Brekselia being evacuated, along with Beverøya and Åsgrav camping.
According to NVE, the water levels have been decreasing since 6 PM on Monday.
Although the water levels have subsided, heavy rain is forecast again tomorrow, reports Yr.
This poses a risk of local flooding, changes in brook and river courses, as well as landslides and mudslides.
COLLAPSE: Juvså bridge on Eikavegen has collapsed.
Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / NRK
– Heavy, dramatic, and sad
Pär Ingvar Haukeland states that his 21-year-old daughter was in the house when water started flowing into the basement.
– She got out before it tipped. We noticed something happening with the house and she quickly got out. My wife and I were elsewhere, but we quickly arrived and called emergency services immediately.
Pär Ingvar Haukeland is about to lose his house in the flood.
Photo: Idrak Abbasov / NRK
It has rained heavily all day, but at one point it became extreme, Haukeland recounts.
– Suddenly it poured down. It was as if the sky opened up. Consequently, the creek overflowed its area and rushed into the housing area. Our house received enormous amounts of water in a very short time.
The entire housing area is affected and neighbors have been evacuated.
– This is a neighborhood where people support each other. These are crisis times where people come together. Many are struggling now, says Haukeland.
The family has found an alternative place to stay and is grateful that no one has been hurt.
– It is just material things that are at risk here. It is, of course, heavy, dramatic, and sad, says the homeowner.
Evacuating camping site
Several camping sites are also under water.
The emergency services need to get an overall view before they can say they have control of the situation, says incident leader Marius Dale.
The police have cordoned off the entire camping site and are keeping watch outside the area. People are not allowed to enter to collect their belongings.
Marius Dale, incident leader, Sør-Øst police district.
Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / NRK
The police are still working to map the damages and potential hazards in Bø. Barriers will continuously be set up where necessary, Dale informs.
According to the mayor, the situation is unclear. A geologist is in a helicopter to conduct assessments.
Police helicopter flies over the area in an attempt to gain an overview.
Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / NRK
The police advise the public not to put themselves in unnecessary danger by trying to salvage belongings taken by the water.
Thomas Høyland and his family have had a caravan at Beverøya for two years.
– We have a caravan here. At least we did, he says.
Høyland does not know how things look at the caravan, as he has not had a chance to go over to see.
Thomas Høyland and daughter Anette Alexandra think it is sad to see that the campsite is about to disappear.
Photo: Martin Torstveit / NRK
– But it is right next to the river, so I don’t know if it’s even there, says Høyland.
Ole Kristian Karlsen is another camper. The hut for his caravan is underwater, and his caravan is partially submerged as well.
– It’s going to be ruined, says Karlsen, who has only managed to bring three bags of clothes.
Ole Kristian Karlsen had to be evacuated from Beverøya camping. He only managed to take some bags with clothes.
Photo: Martin Torstveit / NRK
He has spent a lot of time building up a nice place and finds the situation sad.
A third camper, Per Kristian Refsnes, describes the situation as very severe.
– Now we are trying to save whatever we can. The river on one side has overflowed, and logs are floating by here. I am worried, says Refsnes.
No injuries have been reported from any of the incidents.
Åsgrav camping underwater.
Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / NRK
Åsgrav camping underwater.
Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / NRK
Åsgrav camping in Bø
Photo: Christine Ringdahl Karlsen / NRK
Åsgrav camping in Bø
Photo: Christine Ringdahl Karlsen / NRK
Åsgrav camping
Photo: Christine Ringdahl Karlsen / NRK
People being evacuated from Beverøya Camping in Bø.
Photo: Martin Torstveit
The entire camping site at Beverøya is underwater.
Photo: Martin Torstveit / NRK
Police helicopter circles over Bø to gain an overview of all the floods and incidents.
Photo: Martin Torstveit / NRK
Emergency management team established
The municipality has set up an emergency management team, Siri Blichfeldt Dyrland informs NRK. All emergency services are working, and the municipality has established an evacuation and relatives center.
The municipality is accommodating evacuees at the Gulbring cultural facility where they can receive food, blankets, and feel safe. They are still working to identify who needs accommodation.
I believe many find it tough. At the same time, we are doing everything we can to ensure everyone is safe, she says.
Siri Blichfeldt Dyrland is the mayor of Midt-Telemark.
Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / NRK
Bridge has collapsed, and roads are closed
On county road 3334 on Vreimsida, parts of the road have collapsed.
A bridge over Eikavegen has also collapsed, and the road is being closed.
Juvså bridge on Eikavegen has collapsed.
Photo: Marta Kjøllesdal / Bø blad
Seven municipal roads are closed. An additional four roads are partially closed.
County road 3332 Lifjellvegen is closed due to damage to the road surface after heavy rainfall. The contractor’s emergency service is on-site, reports the Road Administration.
– The road has been excavated by floodwaters from Grindeberget to Gapmyra and is closed at the location. The municipality is working to ensure fire and health preparedness for the involved cabins within the area where the road is closed, the police report.
National road 36 is now open for traffic between Seljord and Bø after being closed due to flooding at Hegna camping.
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