Now Babet is taking over Sweden.
The storm has caused floods and canceled flights and trains – but the climax is not expected until tonight, says the rescue leader in Skanör, Tomas Holmgren.
– The “Peak” will come between three and four tonight, but we are prepared, he says.
Storm Babet has wreaked havoc across Britain, forcing thousands to evacuate. At Leeds Airport, a Tui plane skidded off a runway after being hit by a strong gust of wind, writes Daily Mail.
SMHI warns of the storm, which is expected to hit hardest between Friday and Saturday. During the evening, storm villages are expected in southern Halland, Skåne, Blekinge and southern Öland. From nighttime, this also applies along the western parts of Vänern and Vättern.
In Skanör and Falsterbo there is a high risk of flooding. They have prepared there by setting up a flood protection, activated the rescue service’s contingency plan for storms and deployed personnel around the clock for the places where there is a risk of flooding.
Then there will be an evacuation
– If it should burst, the sea will rush in here and then we will possibly have to evacuate those who live here, says the rescue leader in Skanör, Tomas Holmgren.
The water levels along Scania’s southern coast have already risen significantly. Tomas Holmgren says that it is already “enormously high tide”.
– It is very, very much above normal.
Since 3 p.m., train traffic has been closed on several routes in Skåne, and from 6 p.m., several regional bus lines are cancelled. In a press release, Skånetrafiken urges travelers to avoid unnecessary trips on public transport. Some stretches in Småland are also affected by the storm.
Can eat crab and oysters instead
Winter bather Christin Wigren in Skanör had to skip her winter bath today, but is not particularly sorry for it.
– It’s just to accept, I’ll make up for it later when things have calmed down. Now I have to go home and eat crab and oysters instead, she says.
Wind-sensitive vehicles are advised not to drive over the Öresund Bridge. There is also a risk of the bridge being closed, which happens if the average wind reaches 25 meters per second. The Öresund Bridge writes on its website that the risk appears to be highest from 8 p.m. this evening until early Saturday morning.
The rain will increase during the evening and during Saturday the storm will move up the country. When it reaches the southern Swedish highlands, the interior of Götaland can also receive snowfall.