Storm and flood insurance tips from the Directorate of Civil Protection and Contingency Planning – NRK Nordland

Howl the wind. The rain falls. Trees hang at half past ten.

Winter is approaching and with it also wild weather.

– We have a strong storm warning in Lofoten and in Nordland, and there is a certain risk of a strong storm in Salten, says Gunnar Neuer, a meteorologist on duty at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

The meteorologist confirmed that this will happen several times during the winter.

– On the coast in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, it won’t be long before there’s a severe storm and more.

Autumn and winter storms are not new. But it may become more severe in the coming years.

We know that climate challenges will mean there will be more and more extreme weather, says Elizabeth Arsather, Director of the Directorate of Civil Protection and Contingency Planning (DBS).

– You simply have to prepare more for this.

Read more about what you should do, at the bottom of the case.

– Records are broken often

This weekend it is in the north and south you have to prepare for most of the weather.

Northern Norway is characterized by northerly winds from the North Pole. Farther south, in western Norway and southern Norway, we get another low pressure. There will be a lot of rain from Diaspora and the south, says meteorologist Gunnar Neuer.

Trøndelag will likely be the weather winner this weekend, while in Svalbard you should find both a scarf and a hat. There it can drop to minus 15 degrees.

– As the sunset will be a cold, calm winter’s night.

But the calm atmosphere has become a rarity in Svalbard. It is one of the places where extreme weather is common.

– Now we see it most clearly in the Arctic, in the islands of Svalbard and the Arctic. There, records are being broken more than before and by a greater margin than usual, says Neuer.

Old people are better than young people

And because severe weather is becoming more and more common, this week DSB organized Self-Prepared Week 2021.

The goal is for Norwegian municipal residents to be better prepared for their various crises.

– It’s about food, it’s about water, it’s about having batteries in the radio if the power goes out, for information. And to have alternative heat sources. We need to get better at doing things like this, says Elizabeth Arsather, director of DBS.

But there is someone who is better than others.

The best at taking care of ourselves in crises are older than us. Because they’ve been through more difficult times than many of us.

– But are young people naive?

– If there is one thing that I don’t think the younger generation is like, it is naive. They have embraced the entire climate challenge and the terrorist threat, but Norway is an amazing country where we have been saved so much.

What should you do in the face of severe storms? Here are the experts’ best tips for self-preparation:

Securing loose objects

Loose objects can create dangerous situations. Every year, there are many trampolines that go on excursions in storms. Therefore, loose things should be taken indoors or restricted. This is also important for companies that have third-party equipment.

– What I think is the most important thing is securing bulk assets. It can cause great harm. Especially the trampoline. When the wind blows on the trampoline, it can fly high and low.

That’s what Therese Nielsen, prevention claims at insurance company Fremtind, says.

Provide self-preparation

If the power goes out, a bridge collapses or the road to your house shuts down, you should be able to fend for yourself for at least three days, according to DBS. Charge your mobile phone before the storm. Do you have flashlight available. and extra batteries. If you depend entirely on the power supply – be sure to install the power supply in time.

Make sure the car and boat are safe

If the car can be parked in a garage, that’s fine. If not, make sure the car and caravan are not near trees or masts that could tip over.

The boat should be well anchored. If necessary, move the boat to another location not exposed to the declared wind direction.

The boat must be absolutely sure that it is well anchored. If you do not have the opportunity to check it, contact a friend or neighbor.

Watch out for loose ceiling tiles

Cleaning gutters for leaves and the like. If the house has a flat roof, all drains must be open.

The greatest damage is if the roof is loose, or if the trampoline causes damage to homes and cars. Or injured people who stay outdoors, says Nielsen.

And when roofing tiles and masonry panels flutter in the wind, it’s safer not to move out. Measures to save things should not be taken where there is a risk of personal injury.

Avoid water damage

All windows must be closed during a storm. Especially in the attic and basement. Also look for an opportunity to divert surface water from buildings that could flood basements.