Storm Johannes Strikes: A Christmas Goat’s Unusual Year
(Nettavisen) In a remarkable twist of fate, the famed Christmas goat in Gävle, otherwise notorious for its unfortunate tendency to be set ablaze each holiday season, has remarkably escaped that fate this year, even as it stands battered by the ferocious winds of Storm Johannes. Several Swedish outlets, including SVT, have captured images of the goat succumbing to the storm’s might.
Tragically, the storm has claimed a life, with one individual succumbing to injuries after being pinned beneath a fallen tree near Sandviken. Additionally, the storm has left over 40,000 households without power, painting a grim picture of the havoc wreaked across the region.
Sweden’s Meteorological Institute (SMHI) has issued warnings about powerful gusts and sporadic storm showers affecting vast areas of Norrland, northern Dalarna, and northeastern Svealand. As the winds continue to batter the landscape, authorities are bracing for significant disruptions to traffic and daily life.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, Swedish transport officials took preemptive measures by halting train services between Bräcke and Storlien, a critical route for holidaymakers hoping to hit the slopes in the Jämtland mountains. The Swedish Transport Agency is now urging people to refrain from travel unless absolutely necessary, as conditions remain perilous.
The effects of this storm are not confined to Sweden. In Finland, where it has been dubbed Storm Hannes, thousands of households are also grappling with power outages. At Kittila Airport, a popular hub for Northern Lights tourists, two passenger planes were blown off the runway, though, fortunately, no injuries were reported among the approximately 150 passengers on board.
As the storm rages on, communities across the region are left to endure and assess the aftermath, hoping for a swift return to safety and normalcy.