Storm Johannes has struck large parts of Sweden with strong winds causing widespread power outages and fallen trees. Thousands of households in Gävleborg and Västernorrland remain without electricity, and three people have died. Residents in affected areas are helping each other with cleanup and seeking warmth at safety points.
Storm Johannes swept across Sweden in the night between Saturday and Sunday, December 28, 2025, with winds compared to the worst since Gudrun 2005 and Per 2007. According to Ellevio, heavily affected in Gävleborg, over 16,000 subscribers were without power on Sunday evening, with 9,300 in Gävleborg at 10 p.m. Restoration work paused for the night for staff safety, and some may wait until Monday or longer, per Eon in Västernorrland.
Three people died: a man in his 50s in Sandviken when a tree fell on him, and two men in Härnösand and Hofors during tree clearing. Thousands of trees blocked roads, and Trafikverket deployed 100 units to clear them. Most roads are expected to be passable within the day, but full restoration may take two weeks. Railway sections like Borlänge–Mora and Gävle–Vännäs were closed but reopened that evening with limited capacity. Sundsvallsbron and Högakustenbron reopened after closure.
In Kilafors, Bengt Törnblom lacks power and water after two days. "It'll be home and stoke the fire, it could take a long time," he says while fetching water at the pump station. Nearly 10,000 households in Gävleborg are without power, and safety points like Johannesgårdens församling in Ovanåker offer charging and warmth. Safety chief Michael Lindberg notes: "Everyone understands that this storm was something extraordinary... there's worry about how long it will take to get power back, especially the heat."
In Sörfjärden outside Gnarp, Mikaela Stoor used a chainsaw to cut trees blocking roads. "It was insane, what pick-up-sticks," she describes the damage to houses and cars. In Jäderfors outside Sandviken, Lasse Hammarström asked for help on Facebook, and villagers like Pernilla Berger joined with a tractor. "It was panicky, chaos," she says. Neighbors in Enviken and Trönödal are helping each other, despite issues with downed cell towers.
