Updated 18:55 | Published 18:32
The high flows in several of Norrbotten’s rivers have led to closed roads, flooded basements and destroyed an outdoor swimming pool.
Now the high water flows are moving downstream and tonight the climax is expected to reach Haparanda.
– We have issued our most serious warning, says Hugo Rudebeck, hydrologist on duty at SMHI.
Last Friday, SMHI issued a red warning for high flows along parts of the Torneälven. Warnings have also been issued along the Muonioälven and Kalixälven.
Now the warning is extended to the south and SMHI also warns of floods. The flows have not been this high since the 60s.
– It is a serious situation, and we have issued our most serious warning. It is rare that we issue a red warning, then there are flows that occur less often than every 50 years, says Hugo Rudebeck, hydrologist on duty at SMHI.
In Övertorneå, the water masses have pushed up a basin several decimetres in an outdoor swimming pool, reports NSD.
– There have been enormous forces in motion here. At the most, the basin has been pushed up 80 centimeters, says Lars Niemi, the municipality’s property manager, to the newspaper.
The pool is cast in concrete and according to the municipality, it can take a long time to fix it. To inspect the damage, it must be dug up.
The high flows are due to heavy rain in connection with snowmelt. Several roads have been blocked off and in some places it has not been possible to drive across the river into Finland.
“This is extreme”
Earlier during the weekend, several areas a bit upstream were affected by the high flows. In Saivomuotka, basements flooded and water began to seep out of the sewage system.
Pilot Robert Grenmark, 39, took a flight over some of the affected areas.
– We flew from Haparanda all the way up to Juoksengi. A distance of ten miles. It looks more or less the same all the way. There is a high flow in the entire Torneälven, but it is mostly from Övertårneå and northwards, says Robert Grenmark.
He says that he was in the area a lot as a child. Even then there were ice breaks and spring floods but never on this level.
– This is extreme. You gain perspective when you see everything from above. Forests, fields and meadows, says Robert Grenmark.
According to SMHI, the high flows are moving downwards. Although the red warnings remain for several days ahead, they have already reached their peak in some places.
– We have seen that it is upstream. Among other things around Pajala where it culminated. There are still high flows, but the peak has already been there, says Hugo Rudebeck, hydrologist on duty at SMHI.
Please stay away
The high flows are now moving downstream, it is also to the south that the red warning has been extended.
– In Haparanda, we believe that the highest flows will come sometime tonight, says Hugo Rudebeck at SMHI.
The beach in Haparanda has flooded and the municipality has gone out and warned its residents. “The high water flow in combination with strong currents makes the river both unpredictable and dangerous,” the municipality writes on its website.
The municipality also urges the public to stay away from the river’s edge and writes that the rescue service is monitoring the situation carefully.
FACTS
This means a red warning
Very serious consequences for society.
Weather warnings at the red level mean that the weather can have very serious consequences for society. The weather can become a major danger to the public and cause very serious damage to property and the environment. There is a great risk of extensive disruptions in various services in society, such as public transport and blue light operations.
What should you do?
You should refrain completely from activities that mean you are exposed to risks that the weather can bring. Do what you can to reduce the risk of injury to yourself, your surroundings and your property.
Source: SMHI
Read more