The damage caused to forests by the storm Egon, which swept over Southern Sweden on 10-11 January, is currently considered to be less than anticipated, despite the high wind speeds recorded. Intensive efforts to survey the extent of the damage to Södra's members' properties are currently under way.

According to initial estimates, the extent of the damage in the aftermath of Egon is significantly less than, for example, the storms Gudrun and Per, which occurred in 2005 and 2007, respectively, damaging 75 and 16 million cubic metres, respectively, in Götaland.

Intensive efforts to carefully assess the extent of the storm Egon are currently under way. To estimate the damaged wood volume, a large number of reference properties that are geographically dispersed across Södra's forestry operations areas are being analysed. Södra will present information regarding the damaged wood volume when these figures have been compiled.

The damage that has been identified to date is primarily dispersed windfalls and small concentrations of windthrown trees in exposed locations, for example, on the edge of forests. Damage to forests has been noted throughout much of Södra's forestry operations areas, albeit mainly concentrated to Västra Götaland and Jönköping counties around the Vänern and Vättern lakes.

Södra recommends members affected by the storm to first take an inventory of the damage to their properties and contact their forestry inspector. Södra urges all forest owners to always prioritise safety and to be extremely careful when processing storm-felled wood.

To find out more, please Contact:
Håkan Larsson, President of the Södra Skog business area, tfn: +46 705 894 510
Göran Örlander, Head of Forest Management, Södra Skog, tel: +46 470 893 62
Annica Gerentz, Director of Communications, Södra, tel: +46 703 984 209