Severe thunderstorm causes extensive damage and road closures in Kotka, Finland

A severe thunderstorm struck Kotka around 5 PM, causing numerous trees to fall in the area. The storm damage resulted in road closures between Tavastila and Ylänummi on Juurikorventie. Traffic authorities halted movement on a several hundred-meter stretch of the road due to fallen trees obstructing the route and damaging electrical lines, leaving several local homes without power and restricting residents’ access to their properties.

Emergency services from Kymenlaakso are currently engaged in multiple operations to address the aftermath of the storm, which has caused further minor damages in the area. The storm, characterized by heavy rainfall and intense lightning, posed challenges for cleanup efforts.

Authorities are on-site, working to clear the road and assess the damage. The local power company, Kymenlaakson Sähkö, is also present to inspect electrical transformers and restore power lines affected by the fallen trees.

According to Antti Kosonen, the on-duty fire chief from Kymenlaakso, there is no estimate yet on when the road will reopen. He noted that the trees have fallen in various directions and are under tension, necessitating careful and deliberate steps during the cleanup for safety reasons. The priority is to ensure that residents can return to their properties as soon as possible.