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The rescue service has fitted snow chains on their vehicles.
Schools are closed and the Swedish Transport Administration has ordered a giant snow thrower from the mountains.
Västernorrland is preparing for its first Class 3 night in ten years.
– It is associated with the risk of going out, says Henrik Sundquist from the Swedish Transport Administration.
Västernorrland is used to snowy winters. But tonight a real snow cannon is waiting to cut through the county.
SMHI has issued a class 3 snow warning. This is the first time in ten years in the county. It is expected to drop about 70 centimeters, locally even more in some places. The wind will blow at a force of more than 20 meters per second in gusts of wind. The temperature hovers around zero degrees and makes the snow wet and heavy.
The authorities are preparing for a serious scenario. Various social functions can be excluded.
– Today we met with several players and activated our crisis management. We have commissioned a large snow plow that is normally used in the Jämtland mountains, something we have never done before. It’s a really big machine, says Henrik Sundquist, unit manager for the Swedish Transport Administration.
“Will not be powerful with”
The Swedish Transport Administration has assembled 25 additional snow plows. In total, several hundred plow trucks will be driven through shuttle traffic.
– It won’t be close enough yet. There will be stops and many will not make it. It’s associated with the risks of going out, he says.
The plow has been ordered to prioritize the E4 and the main roads.
– We will pull the smaller roads as usual, but we have not had the opportunity to put additional resources there, which will be sensitive in areas where the home care service must move. But we cannot prioritize it. It is such a large road network that we are not powerful, he says.
During the day, several residents of outlying areas have left their homes to spend the night with relatives who live more centrally. One of the Sundsvall hotels received 17 new reservations during the day.
The Medelpad salvage service has equipped its cars with snow chains. At the stations, the tracked vehicles are ready to be transported to the most exposed areas.
– We have added additional staff and we have taken into account what may happen. Most worrying is the traffic situation, falling trees and the fact that people can be without power for a long time, says Fredrik Lindqvist, internal commander of the rescue service.
The County Board of Management coordinates emergency preparedness and takes stock of resources that are available when the storm hits.
– We have reviewed which tracked vehicles we could use. Heavy snow and wet winds mean trees are likely to fall on roads and power lines. We are in contact with the power companies because we fear power outages and there is concern that even the moving masts will stop working, says emergency coordinator Torbjörn Westman.
“Do not go out”
The public is urged to stay off the roads and stay indoors.
– You should definitely not go out into traffic and should prepare for power outages. Have water, food and access to heating and batteries. Take care of each other and help your neighbors, especially older people who cannot be reached by the home care service, he says.
Public transport has stopped and the Botnia and Dalbanan lines are closed for almost two days. Four municipalities have closed their schools. The traffic situation is considered too dangerous.
– We have closed schools once before due to snow, in February 2018. I have never experienced it before. This is very unusual, says Urban Åström, Sundsvall municipality school director.
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