On Saturday evening, an important message was issued to the public (VMA). As large numbers of trees and in some cases power lines have been blown down across the roads, the Swedish Transport Administration is urging residents in northern Dalarna, Gävleborg, Västernorrland and southern Jämtland counties not to venture out into the road traffic.
At least two fatal accidents occurred on Saturday.
In Sandviken, a man in his 50s was hit by a tree and was injured so badly that he died, writes SVT Gävleborg.
In Härnösand municipality, a man died in connection with tree clearing, local media reports.
Blown down trees
Numerous trees have blown down over roads and caused long queues, including European roads and national roads. Trees fell over the E4 at Harmånger and Tönnebro in Hälsingland and on road 50 between Ludvika and Borlänge.
The situation is tense. What is different from what it usually is during stormy weather is that national roads and European roads have had a lot of fallen trees, says Elin Sarfati at the Swedish Transport Administration's press service.
The Swedish Transport Administration urges motorists not to take to the roads.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of traffic. This makes it even worse because the fallen trees have a big impact on traffic flows. The risk is that when you are stationary in one place, you can also get hit by trees when you are sitting in the car, says Elin Sarfati.
Railway closed
Even before the storm, the Swedish Transport Administration closed the railway between Bräcke and Storlien, which stopped trains to and from Östersund and Åre during a period when many people on Christmas vacation had planned to ski in the Jämtland mountains.
On Saturday, a number of railway lines were closed to traffic until 12 noon on Sunday. The closure applies to Borlänge–Mora, Gävle–Vännäs, Gävle–Storvik-Vännäs, the Mittbanan and the Botniabanan.
The shipping companies Eckerölinjen and Destination Gotland have also cancelled or postponed several departures on Saturday and Sunday due to severe weather.
Tens of thousands without power
Over 40,000 subscribers are without power at the major electricity companies in the storm-affected areas. Electricity company Ellevio tells TT that the number of customers without power as of late afternoon is 18,000.
Ellevio's press manager Jesper Liveröd says that Hälsingland in particular is badly affected by the power outage. The installers are doing what they can and working until 11 pm on Saturday night.
But there is a great risk that customers there will be without power until tomorrow morning, he says.
Facts: Weather warnings
TT
SMHI has three levels of weather warnings:
Yellow warning: Consequences for society, some risks to the public.
Orange warning: Serious consequences for society, danger to the public.
Red alert: Very serious consequences for society, great danger to the public.
