Helene Olafsen and Jørgen Nilsen battered by storm: "It was absolutely insane"

The Norwegian people are used to unpredictable weather, but even for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, nature's power can become a bit much. Former TV presenter and freestyle skier Helene Olafsen and her husband Jørgen Nilsen got a taste of that recently when extreme weather hit their local area. What was supposed to be a quiet weekend at home quickly turned into a battle against the elements.

The couple, who are otherwise known for sharing glimpses of daily life and adventurous activities on social media, suddenly had to prioritise completely different things. The wind gusts were so powerful they knocked out the power grid, and torrential rain caused trouble in unexpected places. Helene Olafsen has previously spoken warmly about living in the area, but there was little idyllic about this particular weekend.

Had to deal with a flooded basement and blocked roads

According to what the couple themselves shared from the intense period, one night in particular stood out. "It sounded like someone was hammering on the walls," Helene Olafsen told her followers when morning finally arrived. Together with Jørgen, they had to quickly take action to salvage their belongings. The situation was anything but under control, and several others in the neighbourhood were in the same boat. Here are some of the things the couple had to deal with:

• Power cut: The whole house was pitch black for several hours, making it impossible to check the weather forecast or cook any food.
• Flooding: The sheer volume of rain found its way into the basement, forcing both Helene and Jørgen to get out buckets and pumps to limit the damage.
• Fallen trees: The area around their home was blocked off by several large trees that couldn't withstand the gales, making it impossible to get the car out.

It's not the first time the Norwegian celebrity circuit has felt the consequences of the country's autumn weather, but for Helene Olafsen and Jørgen Nilsen, it served as a stark reminder that you're never completely safe, no matter how well prepared you think you are. Despite the chaos, the couple have kept their spirits up. In an update the day after the storm, they were able to report that they thankfully escaped the worst of the material damage, even if the garden now resembles a battlefield more than a well-kept lawn.

"We just have to laugh about it now"

Jørgen Nilsen, who himself comes from an elite sports background, is known for taking most things in his stride. "There's not much we can do about the weather, so we just have to laugh about it now," he commented dryly on the situation. Helene Olafsen nodded in agreement and added that this will definitely be a story they'll reminisce about in the years to come – once the damage is repaired and the power is back on for good.

As the clean-up operation gets fully underway, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the storm this time. And who knows, maybe we'll see Helene Olafsen and Jørgen Nilsen back on our TV screens soon, ready to tell the tale of the weekend when nature came knocking a little too hard on their door.