Millions of cubic metres of timber still lie in forests after Storm Hannes, cleanup just beginning in some areas

Millions of cubic metres of storm-felled timber remain uncleared in Finnish forests months after Storm Hannes, with recovery efforts still in early stages in many locations, Yle reports.

The December storm caused an estimated 1.5 million cubic metres of timber damage across South and Central Ostrobothnia alone, with financial losses running into tens of millions of euros. Jussi Pasanen, director of the South Ostrobothnia Forest Management Association, estimates full cleanup will take several years—far exceeding the destruction from 2013’s Storm Eino.

Only 50,000 cubic metres are expected to be salvaged in South Ostrobothnia by summer, leaving the vast majority still in forests. “Most of it remains on the ground,” Pasanen admitted. The hardest-hit municipalities—Lapua, Ylistaro, Isokyrö, and Vähäkyrö—face the largest backlog.

Labour and equipment shortages slow progress

Recovery is hampered by limited machinery and workforce availability. With winter logging in full swing, only about 30 harvester teams are currently deployed in South Ostrobothnia. Crews prioritise sites with concentrated fallen timber; isolated trees are being left behind due to time constraints.

Smaller sites (under 50 logs) are not even being addressed. “We’re racing against time,” Pasanen said. The urgency stems from spring pests: once temperatures exceed 18°C—likely by May—bark beetles will infest pine and spruce, rendering the wood unusable for sawmills. After timber is cleared, operators have roughly a year to collect pulpwood before it degrades to firewood.

Damages may exceed €40 million nationwide

Preliminary estimates place Hannes’ forest damages at €20–40 million, according to Mikko Nygård of the Central Ostrobothnia Forest Management Association. The figure is expected to rise as assessments continue. Central Ostrobothnia alone recorded 500,000 cubic metres of damage—its worst storm loss this millennium.

Western Finland, particularly South Ostrobothnia and Satakunta, suffered the most severe impacts. In South Ostrobothnia, Kauhava, Lappajärvi, Evijärvi, and Vimpeli were hardest hit, along with coastal municipalities in Central Ostrobothnia like Lohtaja, Himanka, and Kannus.

Only a third of the storm-felled timber has been cleared to date. Scattered locations and impending spring thaws will further complicate and delay recovery, making Hannes one of the costliest storms of the century for Finnish forests.