Rising sea water threatens properties in Helsinki and environs

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The sea level threatened to rise to flood proportions in the coastal districts of Helsinki last night. However, the water had already started to recede on Tuesday morning.
      The City of Helsinki Rescue Department had to use sandbags to protect properties in the eastern districts of Marjaniemi, Tammisalo, and Kulosaari. Overnight, the water reached 123 centimetres above the mean level.
      As a result of the rise in the sea level, Highway 170 from Porvoo to Helsinki was closed to traffic at midnight, on the Karhusaari stretch between Sipoo and Vantaa. However, the road could be opened to traffic again at half past eight in the morning. Also in Kotka, the water rose onto the same road at the river Nummenjoki.
     
Flood water started to rise through rainwater drains late on Monday evening in the lowest-lying areas of Helsinki's Marjaniemi. The Rescue Department was preparing to protect four detached houses in Niittyranta, which is Marjaniemi's most susceptible area for flooding.
      Juha Nieminen from the City of Helsinki Rescue Department reported that all rainwater drains are to be blocked and an embankment of sandbags and plastic of around 200 metres will be built in order to protect the houses.
     
The sea level rose in Helsinki to the level of +123 cm because of strong southwesterly winds, even though the forecast of the Finnish Institute of Marine Research (FIMR) had been only 110 cm at the most. However, the water did not overflow into the Market Square yet.
      Following the rise in the sea level, the Rescue Department recorded several calls for inspection missions from the eastern districts of the capital.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Three dead as hurricane winds sweep over Southern Sweden (15.1.2007)
  Helsinki makes provision for future floods caused by storms (12.1.2007)

Links:
  Finnish Institute of Marine Research (FIMR)
  Finnish Meteorological Institute
  The City of Helsinki Rescue Department

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