The entire Lofoten archipelago, home to some 24,000 residents, has been left without electricity, according to local Lofotkraft energy company.
“There are errors on both main lines but we cannot say anything more for now. We assess the situation as very serious and people must be prepared that power may be gone until tomorrow,” the company said in a press statement.
Several other settlements along the Norwegian coast have seen power blackouts as well, local police said.
Flights to and from the northern town of Bodo have been suspended. Bodo, which has a population of around 50,000, was entirely cut off earlier on Saturday, as the road leading up to the town was temporarily closed. While the road has now reopened, police have warned that traffic may be suspended again on short notice.
In the municipality of Ulstein in western Norway, an asylum center was evacuated after several windows were shattered by the storm and parts of the roof torn off.
Meteorologists have warned that the storm may cause waves of up to 25 meters (82 feet).
