Storm surge hits Halvik: Harbour Bridge shut, Saltmarsh residents told to leave

Sea levels are rising fast along the coast, with the peak still expected this evening.

Herald reporters saw flood water around 30 centimetres deep on Coast Road near the ferry terminal at about 13:40 on Saturday, as a storm surge pushed the sea higher along the Halvik coastline.

Halvik Rescue Services has issued a red storm surge warning and says the sea level at Old Harbour could reach 2.1 metres above normal by around 18:00.

Residents of Saltmarsh living south of Ferry Street have been told to leave their homes by 16:00. An evacuation centre has opened at Northgate School.

Harbour Bridge was closed to traffic at 13:30. Posts circulating on social media claim that the bridge has collapsed. Halvik Rescue Services told the Herald that the claim is false and that the bridge is undamaged.

"The water was at our front door within twenty minutes," said a Saltmarsh resident who did not want to be named.

Some residents in Old Harbour told the Herald that the water had begun to go down and that they planned to return home this afternoon. Rescue Services said no all-clear has been given and that the peak is still expected this evening.

Halvik Energy said around 1,200 homes on Lindholm Island were without electricity at 14:15. Ferry services to the island have been suspended.

Tram line 4 is running only between Northgate and Market Square, the city transport operator said.

This story is being updated.