Storm Amy hit the mountain village of Oppdal with unprecedented fury. Elderly residents said they had never witnessed such violent weather in their lifetimes.
The storm raged for over 12 hours with wind gusts reaching 45-50 meters per second. It started around 4-5 AM and continued until 9 PM Saturday night.
Mayor Elisabeth Hals expressed deep concern during the crisis. "I feared for people's lives and health," she said. "This was intense and very dramatic."
What made Storm Amy particularly dangerous? It came directly from the south, an unusual direction for severe weather in this region.
The industrial area suffered massive damage. Roofs were torn off, gates blown in, and structures reduced to splinters. The local medical center had roof damage and water intrusion from heavy rain.
Emergency communications failed when five of nine base stations lost power. The mobile network collapsed, leaving families unable to contact loved ones.
Police had to physically check on residents to ensure their safety. The mayor activated the crisis staff and gathered all emergency services.
Oppdal's center and southern areas were hardest hit. Streets were destroyed with overturned trees, cars, trailers, and caravans scattered everywhere.
"Returning here Sunday morning felt like driving through a war zone," Hals told local business representatives. "It was almost unbelievable."
Twenty-one people required evacuation while others sought shelter with friends and family. The community is now showing strong solidarity with neighbors helping each other clean up.
Insurance data shows Oppdal is the second worst-hit municipality in Norway, behind only Bergen. The local economy faces severe challenges with many businesses suffering critical damage.
The storm exposed critical infrastructure vulnerabilities that officials must now address. This serves as a stark warning about climate resilience in mountain communities.