UPDATE WEDNESDAY: The danger warning has been adjusted. – We are downgrading the danger warning on the coast of Nordfjord and Møre og Romsdal to orange, and then we are downgrading the orange danger warning in the middle and inner areas of Møre og Romsdal and Nordfjord to yellow level, says meteorologist Geir Ottar Fagerlid to NRK.
Extreme weather Ingunn hits us on Wednesday. State meteorologist Geir Ottar Fagerlid says that the wind will be south-west hurricane in medium winds, and gusts of 40-50 meters per second. Local wind gusts of 30–35 meters per second are expected in inland areas.
It will hit northern parts of Vestland, Møre and Romsdal, Trøndelag and Nordland.
– There is a small area around Stad, Møre and Romsdal, Trøndelag and Helgeland that gets the worst wind, says state meteorologist Geir Ottar Fagerlid.
The meteorologist says that with a hurricane there is a danger to life and property. If possible, measures should be taken to prevent the wind from causing damage.
State meteorologist Leonidas Tsopouridis believes that Møre and Romsdal will get the strongest weather late on Wednesday night, night to Thursday.
– It won’t be windy just on the coast. It is in all areas. There can be gusts of up to 50 meters per second also in the mountain area, says Tsopouridis.
He reminds everyone to follow the advice of the emergency authorities.
– You should also consider whether you have to go vegan in order to drive. I don’t recommend doing that, says Tsopouridis.
The outer parts of Møre and Romsdal are in the red danger warning for extreme weather Ingunn.
Photo: YR
Closed pupils
All the secondary schools in Møre and Romdal will be closed on Wednesday, and the pupils will not attend. Erik Brekken, director of skills and industry in the county, says so Rbnett.no.
There is particular uncertainty linked to the journey home, with bridges and ferries that can be damaged.
– I don’t think we’ve ever experienced a red danger warning from the Meteorological Institute, so this is very special, says Brekken.
Erik Brekken.
Photo: Trond Vestre
Several schools will also be closed, including in Molde and Ålesund.
– We take a precautionary decision instead of taking unnecessary chances. It can be a danger to life and health, says mayor of Ålesund, Håkon Lykkebø Strand.
They nevertheless allow students to stay at schools and after-school care. They must ensure that the children get proper transport to and from school, because the county council has said that you may not be able to count on a school bus from Wednesday.
– We have people who have socially critical jobs, and in order for them to get to work with small children, it is important that they have a safe place to be, says Lykkebø Strand.
Ålesund and Molde also cancel municipally run leisure activities, and libraries can be closed at short notice.
Keep the schools open in the north
In Kristiansund, the emergency management has decided that they will keep kindergartens and schools open as usual on Wednesday, and that the school bus will run as normal. The wind picks up a little later in the north than in the south.
Hustadvika, Aukra, Smøla and Molde, among others, have also announced that they are keeping their schools open.
County emergency manager Siri Sætre says this is up to each individual municipality to decide. Kristiansund will make a new assessment at 17.00 on Wednesday for what they do on Thursday.
Sætre has had a meeting with all the municipalities and the members of the county emergency preparedness council so that everyone is clear about the extreme warning from the Meteorological Institute.
– Now we have found out a little more about the weather. It will probably be quite messy. we get up in a hurricane along the coast, and the whole county is affected. As we understand it, it will hit the coast worst, but will still blow fresh air over the entire county, says Sætre.
Stine Sætre is county emergency manager in Møre and Romsdal.
Photo: Roar Strøm / NRK
The county emergency manager is concerned that all actors, from municipalities to emergency services and others who have emergency response responsibilities in the county, should have a common understanding of what challenges the weather can bring.
– When we get such extreme weather with strong winds, we know that it can create challenges both in relation to power supply and communications by road and ferry. So we have to prepare for the fact that we will face challenges in our communications in the days to come, says Sætre.
Compared to the New Year’s hurricane
Unni Nilssen at the Meteorological Institute tells NTB that the weather that is on the way may be reminiscent of the New Year’s hurricane that hit Norway in 1992. It hit the same part of Norway with the same type of extreme wind gusts.
Unni Nilssen at the Meteorological Institute compares the coming gust of wind with the New Year’s hurricane that hit Norway in 1992.
Photo: Kamilla Pedersen / MET
– As far as I can see, it seems to be the same wind direction as in 1992, so you can draw some parallels to that. But it is difficult to say whether it will be just as bad as it was then, says Nilssen.
– Secure loose objects
Sindre Kongshaug, operator at the 110 center in Møre og Romsdal, reminds that people must secure loose objects before the extreme weather arrives.
– In addition, it is a good idea to check that the boat is well moored. Otherwise, you should stay indoors, he says.
This is how you should deal with extreme weather
Expand/minimize fact box
Advice from the Meteorological Institute regarding extreme weather:
- Follow the advice of emergency authorities.
- If you MUST drive, follow the advice of the Norwegian Road Administration and check road reports (175.no).
- Follow advice and check status from transport operators.
- Get your home ready for a potentially longer power outage.
- The need for preparedness must be assessed continuously by emergency responders.
- Use caution when driving in the beach zone and on the sea.
- In advance, consider measures to limit damage.
Possible consequences of the extreme weather:
- It is dangerous to be outside, and unusually large damage to buildings, infrastructure, forests and power grids is expected.
- Great risk of cancellations of flight departures, boats and other transport.
- Bridges can be closed.
- Roof tiles and roof tiles can blow off houses and buildings.
- Many journeys will be able to have significantly longer journey times.
- The local power supply will be significantly affected.
- Many roads may be closed due to trees or other objects in the roadway.
- Snowflake in the mountains reduces visibility. Traffic jams and/or closed roads expected.
- High waves can cause damage to infrastructure and buildings in the parking zone.