SMHI Admits Weather Warning for Ångermanland Flood Was Too Weak
SMHI reflects on insufficient weather warning for September floods in Ångermanland following a fatality and infrastructure damage.
- • Severe rainfall on September 7 caused flooding and significant road damage in Ångermanland.
- • A 75-year-old man died when his car fell into a washed-out road crack in Härnösand.
- • SMHI admitted the initial yellow warning was too weak and an orange warning should have been issued.
- • The agency's evaluation highlights the need for stronger warnings during severe weather events.
Key details
On September 7, 2025, Ångermanland experienced severe weather marked by heavy rainfall that caused significant flooding and damage to road infrastructure. Tragically, a 75-year-old man died in Härnösand after his car fell into a crack created by a washed-out road due to these conditions. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) conducted an evaluation of their weather warnings related to this event and concluded that the originally issued yellow warning was insufficient given the severity of the weather. They acknowledged that an orange warning should have been issued to better reflect the risk and inform the public appropriately. This admission highlights SMHI's recognition of the need for stronger alert levels in cases of extreme weather to potentially prevent similar tragedies and mitigate damage. The severity of the weather and its impacts continue to draw attention to the adequacy of weather forecasting and communication to the public in Sweden.