Storm Johannes causes nearly €90 million in insurance damages – worst in a decade

Storm Johannes has become the costliest storm-related insurance event in Sweden in the past ten years, with damages totalling nearly SEK 1 billion (approx. €90 million), according to industry group Swedish Insurance (Svensk Försäkring).

Speaking to public broadcaster SVT, senior advisor Pär Karlsson described the storm as “exceptional,” noting that insurers typically pay out around SEK 300 million (€27 million) annually for storm-related claims. Over 10,000 damage reports were filed following Johannes, which swept across Sweden in late 2025, causing destruction from Norrbotten to northern Uppland.

The Swedish Forest Agency estimates up to 11 million cubic metres of timber were felled by the storm. Karlsson warned that climate change is likely to increase both the frequency and cost of such events, placing greater demands on property owners to implement protective measures.

“Property owners have always had a responsibility to safeguard their assets, but going forward, significantly more will be required—such as flood prevention—to mitigate risks,” he said.

Flood-related insurance claims have risen in recent years, Karlsson added, with long-term challenges including rising sea levels, particularly in southern coastal regions. He stressed the importance of avoiding construction in climate-vulnerable areas.

A subsequent storm, Dave, struck Sweden in early April 2026, though the full extent of its damage remains unclear. “This has been a storm-heavy winter, so this year will stand out in the statistics for claim payouts,” Karlsson noted.