Extreme weather conditions increasingly endangering major events, urge for better preparedness

Sudden and extreme weather conditions can cause difficulties for event organizers, even when attempts are made to prepare for weather variations. In recent years, several dangerous incidents and even serious accidents caused by weather have occurred at major summer events. At the end of June, a woman from Siilinjärvi died at the Pudasjärvi Midsummer Festival when a temporary 15-meter-high GSM mast broke during a thunderstorm and fell on her.

A severe thunderstorm interrupted the YleX Pop free concert held in Seinäjoki in early June, and last year, the Depeche Mode concert at Kaisaniemi in Helsinki was canceled due to a predicted storm.

The worst accident so far occurred in 2010 at the Sonisphere Festival in Pori, where one person died and one was seriously injured when a strong downburst shook the Kirjurinluoto arena. About 40 people were injured.

The safety manager of the Qstock festival in Oulu, Nikolas Pajunen, suggests that the biggest problem could arise from an approaching storm with strong winds. Downbursts are dangerous. Strong winds can knock down tent structures. Larger structures, such as stages and large screens, are grounded to protect against lightning strikes and are designed to withstand storms, but tents could suffer the most, says Pajunen. According to him, they are prepared for everything.

The weather has been taken into account for a long time in the risk management of the Swamp Soccer World Championships held in Hyrynsalmi at the weekend. Event coordinator Emilia Lehtinen, however, reminds us that the majority of accidents are still minor sprains and strains. There is a helicopter landing area nearby the tournament site, where an ambulance helicopter can land if needed.

The production manager responsible for the safety of the Ilosaarirock festival starting in Joensuu on Friday, Jani Saarela, says the weather is under special surveillance. The festival has so far avoided major weather problems.

The Accident Investigation Board Otkes investigated the fatal accident that occurred in the Pudasjärvi Midsummer festival area, where a sudden, strong gust of wind knocked down a 15-meter mast. According to Kurt Kokko, the director of Otkes, event organizers should be prepared for such situations. He states that the most important thing in event arrangements is to minimize the possibility of risk. If the risk materializes, the plans are ready.