A family in Pori, Finland, experienced significant property damage Saturday when strong winds from the Hannes storm uprooted large spruce trees on their property. The trees fell into the yard of a home in Pinomäki, with some branches impacting the roof.
The six-member family lost power at 5:00 PM on Saturday, and as of Sunday afternoon, electricity had not been restored. The storm’s force proved too much for a row of spruce trees bordering the property, causing them to fall, some onto the house itself. While the treetops did not cause substantial structural damage, the situation remains precarious.
Hanna-Mari Rantala, a resident of the home, expressed continued concern about remaining trees near the house, noting they have tilted and pose a further risk. Despite the damage, Rantala acknowledged the situation could be worse, stating, “There are probably many others in a worse situation than us.”
Rantala recounted a humorous element of the event: her daughter initially believed a loud crash in the kitchen was caused by the family cat knocking over a food bowl, only to discover it was the sound of the trees falling against the house and roof.
Neighbors Offer Support
Rantala noted the timing of the storm was fortunate, as the family’s riding school was already closed for the holidays and some children were able to stay overnight elsewhere. Neighbors have been quick to offer assistance, inviting the family to use their facilities for showering and warming up, and offering to provide coffee and warm water for the horses.
Emergency services have already removed the trees causing the most immediate obstruction. However, the family currently has no estimate for when power will be restored, and the lack of electricity is proving challenging, even impacting the operation of the home’s wastewater pump.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the storm cause damage to the property?
The damage occurred on Saturday, and the family was without power as of Sunday afternoon.
What kind of trees were affected?
Large spruce trees were uprooted by the wind and fell onto the property.
How are the family’s horses being cared for?
Neighbors have offered to provide warm water for the horses.
How do communities best prepare for the cascading effects of severe weather events on essential services?
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