It will rain in Eastern Norway – orange warning of rain and floods

From Tuesday evening, a combination of rain and showers will produce a lot of precipitation in parts of Eastern Norway, writes the Meteorological Institute in the notice.

– The most affected areas will be Vestfold, Telemark, Buskerud and Innlandet west of Mjøsa. Here we expect 50–60 mm until the first part of Wednesday. There will still be rain showers throughout Wednesday, but with less intensity, the meteorologists write.

On Monday they issued a yellow warning, but on Tuesday morning the warning has been upgraded to orange level. Locally, there can be up to 80 mm of precipitation in 24 hours.

Has set up a crisis staff

An orange flood warning has also been issued. The rain causes the water flow to increase rapidly in small and medium-sized rivers. This can lead to extensive flooding, erosion damage and flood damage in exposed locations.

A yellow danger warning for landslides and floods has also been issued. The reason for this is that the groundwater level is very high in places.

– We have deployed emergency staff from approximately 14.00 today due to large amounts of precipitation and/or torrential rain, which in turn could mean the risk of floods and landslides, says Siri Blichfeldt Dyrland, mayor of Midt-Telemark municipality to The daily newspaper.

She says they have already been in contact with emergency services about preparedness. They have also contacted the campsites to get an overview of the number of guests.

– It is particularly the river and the Lifjell mountain area that can potentially pose a danger. It has been planned which building will be used if we have to set up an evacuee and relatives centre, she says.

Bø and Sauherad Red Cross are also increasing preparedness ahead of the storm that is expected.

Can be closed at short notice

The large amounts of rainfall will affect traffic. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration asks people to check the conditions before they go out and drive.

– Roads can be closed at short notice. We ask people to keep up to date on the situation on the roads before they go out and drive, they sign X.

You can check the status at www.175.no or on the Road Administration’s own app, they write further.