Flooding shuts down traffic on Highway 8 in Ostrobothnia

More bacteria found in Riihimäki water

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Traffic on Highway 8 between Vaasa and Kokkola, which was already extremely slow due to flooding, was closed down completely on Thursday.
      Local rescue services estimate that the highway will be closed at the Ånäs bridge for at least one day. The authorities fear that the flooding has weakened the bridge, and traffic is being rerouted through Pensala.
      The detour back to the highway was opened in the early evening on Thursday. Only small vehicles can currently use the detour, and heavy trucks must drive via Lapua. More weight limits can be expected for other stretches of the affected roads.
      Repairs to the damage suffered by roads in the Vaasa region will cost hundreds of thousands of euros.
     
Nils-Erik Backlund, a resident of Oravais, described the atmosphere in the town as terrible. Backlund's family was forced to abandon their home and relocate to temporary lodging. By Thursday evening, the flood water in the Backlund house was ankle-deep.
      Many insurance policies do not cover damages from floods, and Backlund feared that the family would need a loan to cover the costs of repairs. "Even though everything can surely be repaired, I am afraid the floods will occur again some day", Backlund lamented.
     
The e-coli bacteria situation in Riihimäki grew worse on Thursday with the discovery of bacteria in a second water source of the city. Riihimäki residents must boil their water at least over the weekend.
      The water supply in Riihimäki is now being tested for viruses as well, and extra chlorine is being added to the water. The only way to rid the water of viruses is to boil it before use.
      Bacteria has also been detected in the tap water of Uurainen, Hollola, and Ristiina, as well as at the Upinniemi garrison.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Flooding spreads to Ostrobothnia - situation eases on Thursday morning

Helsingin Sanomat