Thousands of euros and months of hard work were literally thrown to the wind as last weekend’s severe storm damaged a number of carnival floats sheltered in two huge temporary tents in Marsa.

The temporary tents that were to protect the carnival floats from inclement weather were totally destroyed.

One carnival float, belonging to Titti Carnival Company, was completely destroyed, while two others suffered extensive damage. Four other floats were rescued just in time as they were moved to safer premises before the gale force winds lashed the islands on Saturday and Sunday. 

The rest of the companies, which were still working in their Marsa or Valletta warehouses, were unaffected.

Read: Storm's trail of destruction could cost millions

“I’ve never seen a storm of this magnitude in the 33 years I’ve been participating,” Raymond Mallia, leader of Titti Carnival Company, said.

“It’s heart-breaking to see a year’s work destroyed before your own eyes. Everyone is disappointed, especially the dancers. But there’s nothing much we can do about it,” he said resignedly from his warehouse at Fort St Elmo.

The company was participating in the Dance Companies Category A competition with a float themed around Great Britain. Mr Mallia calculates they lost around €3,000 in lighting alone, besides paint, wood and metal work. However, he is comforted by the fact that no one was injured.

Read: 'Worst storm since 1982' saw record gusts of 133km/h - Muscat

The enthusiast had words of praise for the Carnival Organising Committee and the festival’s artistic director, Jason Busuttil, who tried to help the company in whichever way possible.

Come the weekend, Mr Mallia still intends to take part in the festivities and hopes for good weather.

“I will set up a tractor, so at least our dancers can join in the celebrations, show off their lavish costumes and have fun,” he said.

Dreamteam Carnival Company, the winners of last year’s Triumphal Floats Category A, also suffered major damage but are hopeful they will be able to repair their circus-themed float before Friday, when official carnival celebrations kick off in Valletta.

Read: Top wind speeds, temperatures and rainfall - the storm by the numbers

Team member Jeremy Mercieca described their weekend ordeal as “a nightmare”.

“On Saturday, we started noticing that the tent where our float was stationed was not strong enough to withstand the storm. In the evening, the gale force winds picked up and the nightmare began,” said the school teacher.

It was a long and cold windy night

“The wind started blowing away the tent… until the whole structure came apart bit by bit.”

While a number of other participants managed to move their float to the warehouse of Rodrick Zerafa of Toto Perżuta Carnival Company, Mr Mercieca’s team could not follow suit for various reasons.

Read: ‘Farmers have never seen so much damage’

“It was a long and cold windy night. I watched the tent break away slowly while hoping and praying that our float would not be badly damaged,” he said, adding that he felt helpless. “We would have been risking our lives if we had to go into that tent. It’s difficult for people to understand this but it’s not easy to see all your hard work and money going to waste.”

At the same time, they were informed that some loud noises were heard coming from their warehouse, also in Marsa, where parts of the float were being finalised.

One of the damaged floats belonging to RRG Carnival Company.

“When we went there, we found that the wind had blown away the corrugated metal roof and our warehouse had become open air. So we moved the parts to a safer space in the same building. What a night!” he exclaimed.

Read: Storm damages hall at Fort St Angelo, undersea water main

The company found a lot of cooperation from Mr Busuttil, Clint Axisa, president of the Carnival Organising Committee, and Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, who announced the government will compensate the companies that were affected by the storm.

Dreamteam were given an alternative venue and offered a helping hand from other Maltese and Gozitan participants.

“Our courage and determination at the moment is indescribable,” noted Mr Mercieca. 

“Everyone is working round the clock to repair the float. And after two sleepless nights, I continued with the dance rehearsals on Sunday.”

Dreamteam Carnival’s float at one of the damaged tents.

Dreamteam’s float at their warehouse in Marsa last week. The corrugated metal roof was blown away over the weekend.