The storm that wreaked havoc at the end of last month has resulted in insurance claims of more than €8.6 million, Times of Malta is informed.
Described as the most devastating since 1982, the storm that battered the islands during the last weekend of February caused damage everywhere, with insurers receiving claims for destroyed buildings, both private and commercial, as well as motor vehicles, boats and yachts.
Malta Insurance Association director general Adrian Galea said the value of claims for private property and household policies topped €3.6 million while those for damages to commercial properties rose to €3.3 million.
Read: 'Worst storm since 1982' saw record gusts of 133km/h
Claims for damages sustained by motor vehicles and pleasure crafts (boats and yachts) amounted to a further €1.5 million.
The storm damaged several outlets.“In comparison to the severe hail storms which took place in 2013 and 2015 and which had a significant impact on motor vehicles, February’s storm caused a great deal of damage to property, which includes both private and commercial,” Mr Galea said.
On the number of claims received, the insurance association head said these amounted to just under 2,000 and while most of them were still subject to further checks, eight per cent had already been settled.
“This is the highest ever value of claims that the local insurance industry has ever received and arising directly out of one, severely adverse weather event.
“The intensity of this storm underlines the importance of protecting one’s own property against unexpected perils through insurance and the importance of regular maintenance of buildings,” Mr Galea added.
Following the storm, the government had said that it was urgently carrying out an assessment to quantify the damage and would seek funds from the EU, if eligible.
Malta tapped into the fund in 2004, when it received over €960,000 to help deal with floods in September 2003.
According to Transport Minister Ian Borg, the damage to the island’s roads caused by the heavy storm amounted to €118,500.
Read: Malta to ask for ‘millions’ from EU fund to cover storm damage
During the storm, which lasted about 48 hours, the Civil Protection Department received and assisted in 486 calls. In some cases it had to be backed by the police and the army.
There were 14 people who were evacuated in Sliema and 12 from two localities in Vittoriosa. In the days that followed, the authorities collected more than 180 tons of debris from the streets.
Most of this work was concentrated on Xemxija, Spinola, Balluta and Ta’ Xbiex promenade.
Several trees were uprooted.