Power outage remains in parts of Äaland after storm

The Finnish autonomous region Äaland islands, off the southwestern coast of the country, continued suffering on Thursday from power outage as the impact of the severe storm.

Although electricity was restored in the provincial capital Mariehamn, all rural parts of the province remained without electricity as of mid-Thursday.

Municipal centers and shopping malls have been opened to the local residents, whose home are too cold, for overnight stay.

Provincial police chief Maria Hoikkala said many seniors live alone in Äaland. The police had checked their situation and helped inhabitants to switch to warm facilities, she said.

"Here we see how vulnerable modern society is, when electricity is off," Hoikkala told national broadcaster Yle.

Lennart Johansson, the provincial head of rescue services, told newspaper Nya Aland on Thursday that the damage to the island's electricity and communications networks were more serious than initially estimated. The province was receiving electricians from the mainland on Thursday.

Besides the Helsinki region, Äaland belongs to the most affluent areas in Finland in terms of personal income. The rural areas are highly dependent on household electricity.