State meteorologists were posting severe storm warnings through the weekend, as an extreme weather system dubbed “Amy” threatened Southern Norway from Kristiansand and up along the coastline towards Oslo. They feared it would be the strongest storm to hit Norway in 25 years.
The area in red, from Kristiansand in the south up to Oslo, was due to be hardest hit by the severe weather system called “Amy.” MAP: Statens vegvesen
Color Line was among shipping lines cancelling all crossings over Skaggerak from Southern Norway to Northern Denmark from Friday through Sunday. Color Line’s large cruise ferry to Kiel in Germany sailed from Oslo as usual Friday afternoon, but only because the seas weren’t expected to be as rough as those farther west.
The meteorologists’ warnings were characterized as “Code Red” along the southern coast known as Sørlandet and up to Oslo, meaning the incoming storm threatened life and health. The warnings were listed as “orange” and “yellow” farther inland, with heavy rain and strong winds also there, along with snow in the mountains.
The storm warnings also prompted cancellation of the overnight train from Oslo to Kristiansand and Stavanger on Friday, because of the severe weather that could set off flooding and landslides. Everyone else was urged to “strongly reconsider” plans for other travel during the weekend, also because of the heavy rains and threat of falling trees that can block roads.
Norwegians were also warned of power outages and that it could take time for emergency crews to restore electricity if it gets knocked out. Acting preparedness chief Trine Krossbekk in Agder County urged everyone to make sure their mobile telephones were fully charged along with powerbanks, and to have alternative sources of warmth and light.
Many were clearing balconies and yards of loose objects and those planning to set off in boats this weekend, after the lobster trapping season began on October 1, were strongly urged to reconsider. “This is not the time to be out in boats pulling up traps,” she said.
Storm clouds were building up over Oslo Friday afternoon. By that time, Norway’s western island community of Utsira was already cut off from the mainland when its sole ferry had to cancel routes. PHOTO: NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
State meteorologist Per Egil Haga was predicting winds of up to 40 meters per second and up to 100 millimeters of rain through Saturday. He tied the storm to the remains of Hurricane Humberto in the Caribbean, which was renamed “Amy” as it approached Great Britain.
Aviation officials also warned of “challenging landing conditions” that were likely to disrupt air traffic as well. All highways over the mountains of Southern Norway could also close at short notice. “If you don’t have to go out driving, it would be wise not to,” Christofa Kei-Nilsen of the state highway department Statens vegvesen.
By Friday afternoon, even the prime minister was joining the chorus of warnings. “This weekend the extreme weather system Amy will hit Southern Norway and it can be the strongest storm we’ve experienced for many years,” wrote Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on social media. “We’re well-prepared in Norway for bad weather, but every one of us can contribute to our safety … by securing loose objects outside, making sure you have what you need at home, and following the advice of our authorities.”
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund