Storm Johannes Leaves Thousands in Sweden Without Power Amid Challenging Restoration Efforts

Storm Johannes has caused severe power outages across northern and central Sweden, with more than 40,000 households initially losing electricity. Areas most affected include Gävleborgs län, where over 9,000 customers remain without power, followed by Västernorrland with about 4,000 affected. Electricity providers Ellevio, Eon, and Vattenfall have reported extensive damage to their networks due to thousands of fallen trees blocking power lines. Ellevio’s Jesper Liveröd described the situation as the worst they have experienced, noting the restoration is slowed by "extreme amounts" of downed trees requiring heavy machinery before technicians can make repairs. Despite efforts, more than 15,000 still lack electricity as of Monday morning, and restoration could extend beyond Tuesday. The storm brought hurricane-force winds exceeding 32 meters per second in some areas, compounding difficulties. Communication disruptions, including mobile networks and municipal services, have further complicated response efforts. Tragically, three fatalities have been reported in connection with the storm. Meanwhile, Eon’s regional manager Lena Berglund warned some customers, particularly in Västernorrland, may wait several days for power restoration. Authorities continue to clear fallen trees and repair infrastructure amid ongoing weather challenges.