Deadly Storm Johannes Batters Scandinavia, Leaving Three Dead and Widespread Damage

HELSINKI: A severe storm that ravaged Scandinavia over the weekend has claimed a third life in Sweden, as authorities continue to grapple with extensive damage, prolonged power outages, and disrupted infrastructure across the region.

The powerful weather system, named Storm Johannes in Sweden and Aila in Finland, swept across the northern half of Sweden and western Finland on Saturday and into Sunday, bringing destructive winds that toppled trees, damaged property, and crippled energy networks.

Fatalities Rise Amidst the Chaos

Swedish police confirmed the latest fatality on Sunday: a man in his 60s died in hospital after being struck by a falling tree while working in a forest near Hofors. This incident follows two deaths reported on Saturday.

Earlier, a man in his 50s died after being hit by a tree near the Kungsberget ski resort in central Sweden. “He was later pronounced dead at the hospital,” said police spokesperson Mats Lann. In a separate tragedy further north, a utility worker employed by the regional energy company Hemab was killed in an accident “in the field.” Swedish broadcaster SVT reported that this employee was also fatally struck by a falling tree, bringing the storm’s death toll in Sweden to three.

Widespread Power Outages Persist

The storm’s fierce gusts, which reportedly exceeded 90 km/h in many areas, caused massive power failures in both nations. In Finland, more than 85,000 homes remained without electricity in the early hours of Sunday, down from a peak of over 180,000. Energy providers have cautioned residents that full restoration of services could take several days due to the scale of the damage.

The situation in Sweden is similarly severe, with the national news agency TT reporting at least 40,000 households without power on Sunday morning. Repair crews are working to clear fallen trees from lines and restore electricity, but progress is hampered by blocked roads and ongoing hazardous conditions.

Transport Disrupted and Cleanup Begins

Beyond the power crisis, the storm caused significant disruption to transport. Fallen trees blocked numerous roads and railway lines, leading to cancellations and delays. Emergency services across the region have been inundated with calls reporting damaged buildings and unsafe conditions.

As the storm system moves eastward, weakening, authorities in Sweden and Finland are shifting their focus to large-scale cleanup operations and damage assessment. The focus remains on restoring essential services and supporting affected communities, with warnings still in place for residents to avoid forested areas where weakened trees pose a continued threat.

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