The southern Norwegian town of Egersund was Saturday evening threatened by a major flooding of the town center, but as the heavy rainfall abated, work crews were able to keep the river open.

More heavy rain is forecast for Sunday, but city engineers believe the worst danger is over, after they were able to place heavy concrete slabs at the destroyed foundation of a house that was about to slide into the river.

They had been afraid that debris from the house would block the main watercourse at the nearby bridge, thus forcing the river to change course, flooding the town.

If the bridge should collaps, it would also cut the city's main electricity supply.

The south and west coast of Norway was lashed by extreme rainfall and heavy winds all Saturday, and more rain is expected today, Sunday. Flood warnings have been issued for the whole region south of Stad.

(NRK/Aftenposten)

Rolleiv Solholm

Written by Rolleiv Solholm