In a rare incident last Sunday, Oulu's Merikoski hydropower plant experienced a power outage after an unusual build-up of rime ice caused electrical lines to snap. The failure led to the loss of power for over 20,000 households, including the power plant itself. The situation became critical as the plant's turbines halted, causing water levels to rise dangerously. The facility's automated emergency systems responded by opening floodgates to alleviate pressure, preventing a potential disaster.

The situation worsened later the same day when the power cut out again due to the same accumulation of ice. Reports indicated that around six million cubic meters of water were discharged from the facility, leading to significant flooding in the estuary area of the Oulu River. Ice floes began to shift, encroaching into areas like Ainolanpuisto in the city center, damaging local infrastructure, including the steps leading to a winter swimming area. This incident not only caused immediate disruptions but also raised questions about the reliability of the energy systems in extreme weather conditions.

Authorities have begun investigating the incident, focusing on the hydropower plant's operational protocols amidst severe weather patterns, which may become more frequent with climate change. Local officials are now concerned about the long-term effects of such power outages, particularly for emergency response systems and infrastructure stability in urban areas prone to flooding, highlighting the need for robust emergency preparedness measures.