COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway experienced its strongest storm in more than 30 years, causing damage to houses and infrastructure, and disrupting daily life in several parts of the country. The storm brought hurricane-force winds, with gusts reaching up to 180 kilometers per hour in some areas.
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute reported a new national wind speed record of 195.8 kilometers per hour on the island of Soemma. The storm caused a bus carrying 14 passengers to be blown off a road near Laerdal, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The severe weather resulted in flooding, power outages affecting approximately 12,000 households, and disruption of transportation services including flights and ferries. Several schools, roads, tunnels, and bridges were closed due to the strong winds, rain, and snow.
The storm also impacted Sweden, with hurricane-strength gusts reported in the country’s western part. Furthermore, the Swedish town of Kiruna had to shut down schools due to the adverse weather conditions.
Named Ingunn by Norwegian meteorologists, the storm hit central Norway before moving north, prompting the issuance of red warnings for the Arctic region and several avalanche alerts. In the town of Bodoe, windows were blown out in a hotel, and downtown Bodoe was cordoned off due to safety concerns. Additionally, part of a roof at the University Hospital of North Norway’s branch on Hinnoeya island was damaged.
The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate issued its highest avalanche warnings for southern and central Norway, as well as cautioning about the considerable risk of landslides, mudslides, and flash floods. The storm led to a significant number of reports to the public safety agency, with more expected.
In Denmark, the Storebaelt bridge connecting two major islands was closed to vehicles with light trailers due to strong winds. This storm struck the same area as the 1992 New Year’s hurricane, considered one of the most powerful storms in Norway’s history.
