Forecasts for water levels on Roskilde Fjord up to 21st January 2022 predict an increase in water levels of up to 130 cm over normal.
The Viking Ship Museum has therefore instigated its emergency plan at level 2, which means that watertubes are being put in place at the Museum Island, where the boatyard and Museum café are located.
The Viking Ship Hall is also being protected by watertubes, which will prevent water from entering via the basement, and the Museum’s maintenance team are also ensuring all ventilation ducts etc. are closed.
No danger to the Viking ships
As it stands right now, there is no need for alarm. “The Museums emergency planning group was established to be prepared for dealing with situations like this", tells Maiken Maigaard, who is head of the emergency planning group.
As a result of experiences with winter storms during the last few years, the museums has already erected the temporary 'storm surge wall' on the inside of the Viking Ship Hall’s large glass façade that faces out to the water, in order to protect the five irreplaceable Viking ships the Hall contains.
“The fact that our storm surge defence wall is already in place inside the hall and that all of our containers with flood defence equipment are here on site is a great help in situations like this”, says Maiken Maigaard.
The storm surge wall is set up each year in the autumn and stays in position until the spring, where the risk of storm surges is much lower than in winter.
The crew have been called in
As part of the Museum’s emergency plan, staff members have been called in to carry out the many tasks involved in securing the Museum and Roskilde Fire Service have also offered their assistance, should the need arise.
The process of laying out watertubes on the Museum Island and at the cellar of the Viking Ship Hall is underway and staff have been called in from our maintenance team, boatyard and maritime archaeology teams to establish the defences.
When the watertubes are in place – around midday – the emergency planning group will meet again and evaluate the situation presented by the forecasts.
We will keep an eye on the development on the water levels and send regular updates on the Museum's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Vikingeskibsmuseet
Info:
Water levels are expected to peak this evening between 19:00 – 20:00.
The Museum is open for guests from 10:00 – 16:00.
NB! If you are walking around the harbour, make sure to use only the signposted crossing points when crossing the watertubes, otherwise they can be damaged.
