CloudCloudburst – A Study of the Cloudbursts in Västernorrland, September 2025

The cloudbursts in Västernorrland became a major media story in September 2025. During the weekend of 6–7 September, an intense rainstorm swept across the region. Within just a few hours, as much as 70–100 mm of rain fell—locally even more. This marked the beginning of what would later be described as one of the most extensive weather-related crises in the region’s modern history. Media coverage showed images of washed‑out roads and flooded properties. Two freight trains derailed after embankments were undermined—one of them near Stugusjön in Örnsköldsvik, where the train cars ended up in difficult terrain and the potential risk of hazardous materials initially had to be assessed. The event demonstrated how rapidly a society can be affected by extreme weather, and how crucial effective collaboration between different actors becomes once a crisis is underway.

On behalf of the County Administrative Board of Västernorrland, Mid Sweden University is evaluating how the cloudbursts and the subsequent emergency response were perceived and understood by various stakeholders. The aim is to deepen the understanding of how an unexpected event is interpreted and managed by both official actors and private individuals. Through interviews with people directly involved—authorities as well as residents—experiences are gathered that provide a more nuanced picture of how the emergency operations were carried out and experienced during the most critical phase.

The results will be presented in a report using a narrative (storytelling) approach to increase accessibility and impact among key societal stakeholders beyond academia.