MSB to investigate floods in Västernorrland
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has been tasked by the government to investigate the handling of the extensive floods in Västernorrland from the summer of 2023. The probe will examine causes and measures to enhance future preparedness. Several municipalities were severely affected by the sudden downpours.
The severe floods in Västernorrland occurred in August 2023, triggered by extreme downpours that caused rivers to overflow and roads to collapse. Municipalities such as Sollefteå, Kramfors, and Örnsköldsvik were among the hardest hit, with damage to infrastructure and homes. The government recently decided that MSB will lead an independent investigation into the incident.
According to MSB's mandate, announced on October 15, 2023, the inquiry will map the sequence of events, assess the authorities' response, and identify areas for improvement. 'We want to learn from what happened to better handle similar situations in the future,' says Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Director General of MSB, in a comment to Aftonbladet. The investigation is expected to be completed within a year and will involve experts from both MSB and other relevant agencies.
The background to the floods is linked to climate change, which has increased the frequency of extreme weather events in northern Sweden. Local rescue services and municipalities acted swiftly, but critics have pointed to shortcomings in warning systems and long-term planning. The probe will also examine how resources were allocated during the crisis. No direct contradictions appear in the reporting, but local voices have expressed concerns over long-term societal impacts.