On December 27, storm Johannes swept across northern and central Sweden. The strongest storm of the year claimed three lives and caused power outages for tens of thousands of households, primarily in Gävleborg and Västernorrland.
A new storm and heavy snowfall after New Year's have further complicated the situation and left hundreds without power for over a week, including Börje Löfgren and Margareta Engström in the small village of Råhällan between Gävle and Ockelbo.
"We've had to make do with the situation. We've managed reasonably well with a generator, but some people here in the village haven't been able to get theirs going, so they've had to make do with the best they can. It's been a shame for them," says Börje Löfgren.
“No disaster”
He and his partner have cooked on the wood stove - "a gold mine" - and fetched water from a dug well.
"We've used it to wash dishes, flush the toilet, and splash around a bit, so it hasn't been a disaster. But it's been 20 degrees below zero, so it's been tough."
Hundreds of customers of electricity network company Ellevio in Gävleborg County remained without power on Wednesday, and according to the company, more will be affected as more snow falls.
In Råhällan, the lights were turned on late Tuesday afternoon, after ten days of waiting.
"You were happy, but then you wonder - how long will it last? It's better to think that way in case there are new problems," says Börje Löfgren.
Pizza and dirty laundry
Margareta Engström's birthday earlier this week was celebrated at her daughter's house in a nearby village with a hot shower, pizza and a well-stocked washing machine.
"It meant a lot. After seven, eight days without being able to wash or vacuum, you were ready to cry. Then there was no energy left," she says.
In their 20 years in the house, they have never experienced anything like it. Now they are considering getting a stationary diesel-powered generator powerful enough to power the entire shack in the event of a power outage.
"But this has been a useful experience. I think many people should experience what it's like to live like this," says Margareta Engström.
