Storm hits: 33m/s wind gusts, E16 closed – time to tie down the trampoline
Morning, Bergen! Or should I say, morning, West Coasters? If you stuck your head out this morning, you felt it straight away: that autumn storm is well and truly here. I've lived here my whole life, and even I have to say it's howling a real gale around the house today. According to local reports, we're looking at wind gusts up to 33 m/s, and you can feel it in your bones. B.T. – or just BT, as we call it these days – has got the full picture of what's happening, and I've been keeping an eye on the latest updates from the newsroom.
Wind gusts up to 33 m/s – tie down the trampoline!
Out west, we're used to a bit of breeze, but what we're seeing today is a bit much. Overnight, we recorded wind gusts hitting 33 metres per second in several spots. We're not just talking about the wheelie bin tipping over here. It's actually time to do a quick lap of the garden. Got a trampoline? Then you'll want to get that thing pegged down properly. I've seen them take off before, and they're not just a flying hazard for the kids and the neighbour's shrubs. Same goes for the boat – now's the time you'll be glad you checked the moorings.
E16 closed after landslide
For those of us needing to get to work, it's more serious. The E16 near Stølvang is currently closed due to a landslide. It's one of the main arteries in and out of Bergen, so the knock-on effect is real. This was reported this morning, and the local newsrooms are keeping a close eye on the situation. If you're planning on driving anywhere, check the traffic reports before you jump in the car. You'll find updates online, and they're being refreshed continuously.
Personally, I've found myself relying more and more on tech to get through the day. My Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm with BT and 4G has become my go-to. It's buzzing away on my wrist, feeding me all the news alerts straight up. So even if my phone's buried in a pocket or charging on the nightstand, I know instantly if there's a fresh update on the slip or if the weather's taking another turn for the worse. The Bluetooth connection (or BT, as we like to call it) means the watch talks seamlessly with the phone, and with 4G, I'm connected no matter what. It's a lifesaver when you're out in the thick of it and don't fancy fumbling for your phone in the pouring rain.
Choosing a car for rough weather: Mazda BT-50 to the rescue?
And speaking of cars: in weather like this, a solid ute is worth its weight in gold. I'm thinking of classics like the Mazda BT-50. It's always had a solid rep for handling New Zealand road conditions – or Norwegian ones, for that matter. Four-wheel drive and decent ground clearance mean you can get through spots where others have to turn back. I just saw a neighbour get a hand from a guy in a BT-50 to pull a car up a slippery slope. It's wheels like that you really appreciate when the temperature drops and the roads turn to ice. Sure, right now it's mostly rain and wind, but with slips and surface flooding, it's reassuring to have something that feels planted.
So, to sum it up: here are a few quick tips from someone who's been through a few storms:
- Secure things: Tie down the trampoline, garden furniture, and the boat. The wind's stronger than you reckon.
- On the roads: Give the E16 near Stølvang a miss for now. Keep an eye on local news for updates.
- Get techy: Use a smartwatch (like the Samsung Galaxy Watch with BT/Bluetooth) to get alerts without having to dig your phone out in the rain.
- Driving: If you've got a Mazda BT-50 or something similar, you'll be glad of it today – it'll earn its keep.
Here's hoping this weather clears off soon. Until then: keep up with the local papers, tune into the morning radio broadcasts, and don't take any unnecessary risks. And remember: better safe than sorry, as we like to say out west.