When the hurricane swept across the country during Thursday morning Swedish time, it was almost up in a category 5, which is highest on the hurricane scale.

-You did not think it would be this bad, says Tora Tomasdottir - but explains that when hurricanes pull in over land, they always lose strength.

- It will move further north during the day but will decrease in strength. At midnight, it will be downgraded to a storm, she says.

Shortly after 11 o'clock in the morning Swedish time, word also came that Laura had now weakened and was classified as a category 3 hurricane.

Stronger than Katrina

When it pulled in, Laura was stronger than Hurricane Katrina, which in 2005 submerged large parts of New Orleans, killing more than 1,200 people.

- However, the storm surge does not seem to be as large as it was in the case of Katrina, which means that there will be a smaller geographical distribution. But the consequences will still be devastating, says SVT's meteorologist Tora Tomasdottir.

Windows and houses are demolished

Many windows and roofs will smoke, even houses that are not firmly built will collapse.

- And that's just what the wind causes, says Tora Tomasdottir.

- It is the storm surge that causes the worst consequences. The seawater loosens the ground, causing landslides and instability for weeks to come.

The electricity and water supply will also be affected, and areas may become uninhabitable for months to come.