Withstanding winter vulnerabilities: A way of life in a northern seaside community

• Published in: Journal of rural studies 2020-10, Vol.79, p.197-204
• Main Authors: Heimtun, Bente, Jacobsen, Jens Kr. Steen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Avalanche; Hazards; Preparedness; Risk; Road closure; Samfunnsvitenskap: 200; Social science: 200; VDP
• ISSN: 0743-0167; 1873-1392; 1873-1392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.08.038

This study responds to the dearth of qualitative research on long-term adaptation to winter climate-induced access and safety problems in rural areas in Western welfare societies. Based on qualitative interviews with 19 long-term residents in a thriving fishing village in northern Norway, the paper explores how they have adapted to and coped with roadside avalanches, blizzards, heavy snowfalls, and snowdrifts that have suddenly closed access highways and cut off other lifelines. The study shows that the inhabitants have internalised hazard adaptation and preparedness through safeguarding themselves, family members, their home and community during difficult times. Still, they admitted that local solidarity and coping capacity were changing with the arrival of newcomers who are less accustomed to and experienced with these hazards. Despite high personal and joint adaptation and coping capacities, the study also reveals denial of risk and the prevalence of worry, particularly among women. The inhabitants acknowledged mortality risk while driving on avalanche-exposed winter highways, yet assumed that they would not have a fatal accident. •Fishing village lifestyle copes with blizzards and avalanche-exposed access roads.•Long-term residents have high personal winter weather hazard adaptation capacity.•Social capital and place attachment ease winter hazard coping in thriving village.•Rational risk-based logic used to handle winter climate-induced hazards.•Psychological mechanisms and beliefs in higher power are forms of risk denial.