Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin caused at least €500 million in damage, according to initial estimates. That is what the Association of Insurers has announced on Monday on the basis of ‘an initial inventory’ among insurance companies. Anyone who reports damage must take longer than usual waiting times into account, the organization warns.
According to the alliance, insurers are receiving “record numbers of claims” from the storms that made landfall last week. Many homes, cars and commercial buildings were damaged, among other things. Reports of blown roof tiles and damage to solar panels and fences would also often occur.
On Monday, a large part of the Netherlands is still struggling with heavy gusts of wind: it is officially the sixth storm day in a row, a record for the month of February. „Put crooked roof tiles straight again and secure loose solar panels again when the situation is safe. In this way you prevent further damage”, advises general director of the Dutch Association of Insurers Richard Weurding.
The KNMI issued a code yellow for storm Dudley last Wednesday. Since then it has continued to rain a lot and blow hard: the strongest storm followed on Friday with Eunice. At least four people were killed and extensive damage was reported throughout the country, including to the railways, buildings and cars. On Sunday evening, storm Franklin hit the western coastal provinces particularly hard.
Also read this report: The old cypress did not withstand Eunice