Severe weather conditions have led to the isolation of the town of Odda, affecting thousands of residents and disrupting local services. Heavy rains and subsequent landslides and flooding resulted in roads being closed, leaving communities completely cut off from the outside world.
According to reports from the region, by Monday morning, both Odda and neighboring Eidfjord were still unreachable due to multiple landslides and road closures. Magne Kydland, communications chief for Helse Fonna, informed Haugesunds Avis about the consequences of this isolation for medical services. "We have patients from the entire region, including Stavanger, who utilize Odda Hospital. We are preparing for many scheduled appointments and surgeries to be canceled," Kydland noted, indicating the gravity of the situation.
Even as emergency services were deployed where possible, the challenging conditions rendered air ambulance services impractical. Helse Fonna planned to hold another emergency meeting to reassess the situation at 10 AM on Monday.
Road closures continued to be reported throughout Odda as part of the broader impact felt across Ullensvang municipality. The municipality’s response included setting up crisis management teams to address the emergency effectively. Ronny Sleire, traffic operator, reported to Bergens Tidende over the weekend, stating: "All roads here are closed due to landslides." This isolation not only poses immediate risks but also complicates any rescue and logistical efforts aimed at providing assistance to those stranded.
By Monday afternoon, efforts to clear the debris had begun to yield results as reports emerged around 12:30 PM from Hardanger Folkeblad indicating the reopening of some roads to Odda. Emergency officials worked tirelessly, with geologists assessing the stability of the areas where landslides occurred. Stein Nestås, another traffic operator, highlighted the potential for more landslides due to the unstable conditions exacerbated by recent weather reports. "We've already had several landslides across Ullensvang, Voss, and Kvinherad, with the continuing bad weather," he said.
Leif Einar "Lothepus" Lothe, known for his television presence, shared his personal experience of the storm, recounting how he narrowly escaped becoming trapped during the initial landslides. "I was driving back when the landslides started, and I barely made it home just before everything went wrong," he told TV 2. The 55-year-old resident encouraged local drivers to avoid the roads until the situation stabilizes.
Echoing these sentiments, fellow Odda native and National Geographic figure Thord Paulsen described his frustration at being unable to reach those who needed assistance due to the closure of key routes. "It feels dramatic not being able to help people due to the impassable roads," he conveyed to VG. He, like many others, hoped for swift action from local authorities to restore access.
While emergency crews worked to clear roadways, the Ullensvang municipality officials also explored alternative transport solutions. Ordfører Roald Aga Haug mentioned the challenges faced due to the unforeseen severity of the storm, stating, "We are currently seeking boats to help with transport across the fjord. We'll need more than just normal measures to resolve this situation." A response vessel from the Red Cross was requested to assist with transporting individuals requiring medical attention.
According to weather forecasts, substantial rainfall led to over 100.9 millimeters of precipitation at Gullfjellet near Bergen, which was among the worst affected areas. Meteorologist Per Egil Haga noted the combination of milder temperatures spreading across the region, stating, "The incoming maritime tropical air has resulted in rapid snowmelt, creating optimal conditions for landslides. With such persistent rainfall and mild weather, it's expected to pose significant risks for unstable mountainsides."
The weather alert for the Vestland region remained at yellow level, emphasizing the need for caution. Authorities advised residents to steer clear of known landslide zones. Traffic reports indicated several main roads remained unsafe, which compounded the challenges faced by rescue and recovery operations. Roads such as Rv. 13 through the Vindhammertunnel and Rv. 7 across Hardangervidda continued to face closures, leaving residents anxious for answers.
Things took a turn on Monday afternoon as reports confirmed some routes began to open, marking a sign of relief for citizens eager to reconnect with the outside world. Even though some measures were being addressed, Ullensvang's plan for the next phase remained uncertain, with officials expressing relief combined with guarded optimism. "We have much to assess before we can completely understand the impact of the storms and how quickly we can return to normalcy," noted the regional director.
Despite the challenges currently faced, the resilience and quick response of the communities involved remain hopeful. Residents are urged to stay tuned for updates from both meteorological and municipal officials as they work round the clock to restore connection and safety for those affected by the severe weather conditions.
