Storm Tuva sweeps Norway, Damages in Millions

Coastal areas were hit with high waves, like here in Kristiansand.
PHOTO: LARS HOEN/FÆDRELANDSVENNEN
Storm cost millions

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2230962.ece

Insurance companies in Norway are expecting millions of kroner worth of claims after a storm named "Tuva" swept over the southern part of the country on Thursday. Residents were still dealing with pouring rain and sleet on Friday, and driving was hazardous.<table style="margin-top: 10px;" align="right" bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="302"><tbody><tr><td> Boats thought to be secured in winter storage on land were battered by the winds, like here at Nøtterøy.
PHOTO: PER ANNAR HOLM
Trees were blown down, like here at Lund in Kristiansand, causing lots of damage.
PHOTO: OTTO A PRESTMO
</td></tr><tr><td class="lesOgsaa">Related stories:</td></tr><tr><td class="btxtLink">Southern Norway braces for major storm - 31.01.2008</td></tr><tr><td class="btxtLink">Roads re-opening as storm moves north - 28.01.2008</td></tr><tr><td class="btxtLink">New storm closes mountain passes, shuts down rigs - 25.01.2008</td></tr><tr><td class="btxtLink">Storm warnings for the west - 18.01.2008</td></tr></tbody></table>The storm rolled in from the North Sea right on schedule and battered southern and eastern Norway with high winds, serious wave action along the coast, rain and heavy, wet snow at higher elevations.
The winter storm moved quickly, leaving destruction in its wake as it hit the Rogaland coast in western Norway around 10am. Then it swept westwards and northwards before heading into Sweden.
Winds died down in the late afternoon, but gusts, rain, sleet and snow continued through the night. Forecasters were calling for intermittent rain and snow in the Oslo area throughout Fricay and through the weekend, with periods of clear weather, especially on Sunday.
State meteorologists had warned residents to batten down the hatches and secure their belongings, but even safety measures taken at several boat harbours, for example, weren't enough to fend off Tuva.
Insurance companies are expecting claims to reach more than NOK 20 million, at least half of that sum in the Oslo area, reported Aftenposten.
Thousands of households and businesses were left without electricity after trees blew over and knocked down power lines.
Temperatures were due to sink on Friday, leading to warnings of especially slippery roads.