Storm Johannes Devastates Sweden's Gävleborg Region: Ski Resort Closure, Power Outages, and Fatalities

Storm Johannes has caused widespread disruption and damage across Sweden, particularly impacting the Gävleborg region. Kungsberget, a popular ski resort near Sandviken, was forced to close due to extensive power outages and the destruction caused by fallen trees. The resort, which had nearly full bookings for the Christmas weekend, faces significant financial losses as it deals with clearing debris and lost revenue. Joakim Carlsson, Kungsberget's CEO, described the storm's impact as the most severe in his 35 years of experience, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the damage.

The storm also resulted in three fatalities in the region, including two in Gävleborg. Among the victims was a 60-year-old man killed by a falling tree while working in a forest and a man in his 50s who died when struck by a tree near Kungsberget. These tragedies underline the storm's severity and its direct threat to human life.

Beyond the damage to infrastructure and tragic losses, power outages remain a major challenge. Over 8,000 residents in Gävleborg were without electricity as of Monday, complicating recovery efforts. In the neighboring region of Västernorrland, electricity provider Eon reported the highest number of outages, with more than 16,000 subscribers initially affected. Although the number of affected customers has dropped to approximately 9,300, some residents may still face prolonged wait times before power is restored.

In Sandvikens municipality, the impact on households is palpable: in Åshammar, a family lost electricity when downed trees severed power lines. Neighbors helped by providing a long extension cord, crucial for keeping their terrarium warm and mobile devices charged during the outage that lasted multiple days.

Despite the closure, Kungsberget is expected to reopen by Tuesday, though the path to full recovery remains challenging. Authorities and service providers continue working to restore power and support affected communities as they recover from the storm’s aftermath.