Strong winds fell trees on Kuusamontie road in Pudasjärvi – traffic returning to normal

Emergency services in northern Finland responded to a major storm damage incident on Wednesday afternoon after strong winds toppled trees onto Kuusamontie road in Pudasjärvi, blocking traffic, Yle reports.

The North Ostrobothnia Rescue Department received the call before 3 PM local time. Crews have since cleared the fallen trees, and traffic is now recovering.

Authorities warn that the storm front is still moving, raising the risk of further wind damage elsewhere in the region. The Finnish Meteorological Institute had earlier issued a warning about gusty winds potentially causing damage, particularly in northern Finland.

Wind speeds may exceed 20 metres per second, with senior meteorologist Henri Nyman noting in a bulletin that squalls during snow showers could lead to wind-related hazards across a zone stretching from Kainuu to southern Lapland.