Storm Hannes fells up to 4 million cubic metres of forest in Finland

Storm Hannes, which crossed Finland in December, has caused significantly more forest damage than first estimated, according to updated assessments. The Finnish Forestry Centre now estimates that 3.5–4 million cubic metres of forest were felled by the storm—more than ten times the original estimate of approximately 300,000 cubic metres. The most severe damage is concentrated in Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia and South Ostrobothnia, with coastal areas particularly affected. In Ostrobothnia, large volumes of windthrown trees have been reported around Pietarsaari and the Suupohja coastal region. In Central Ostrobothnia, forests around Kokkola and Kaustinen have suffered extensive ...