Severe Flooding in Västernorrland Leaves Homes at Risk as More Rain Approaches

Severe flooding in Västernorrland, particularly affecting areas like Undrom and Kubbe, has prompted significant damage to local properties and raised ongoing concerns for residents as weather warnings for more heavy rain are issued. The floods have rendered homes like that of Anton Eriksson in Undrom critically endangered, with floodwaters inundating his property and causing structural risks. Eriksson faced the heartbreaking prospect of his house collapsing as the stream near his home expanded dramatically from 1.5 meters to 15 meters in width, describing the crisis as a ‘catastrophe’. To prevent further destruction, 70 truckloads of crushed rock were brought in to stabilize the ground around his house.

In Kubbe, Ylva Mårtensson's farm also experienced severe flooding due to the Anundsjö river rising by four meters. Fortunately, with the support of family and neighbors, she was able to construct barriers that shielded her home from water damage. Both Eriksson and Mårtensson have expressed emotional turmoil amid the disaster, yet they also feel thankful for the community support that has helped them cope with the devastation.

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) has issued a yellow warning for continuing heavy rainfall expected to start at midnight, which raises concerns about further flooding as the ground remains heavily saturated. Community efforts are proving essential, with locals coming together to assist each other in this time of crisis. In a related development, Uniper, the company overseeing a dam that contributed to the flooding through water releases during the storm, has assured that they will compensate for the damages incurred by the affected families.