Hailstorm damage to crops, cars and homes expected to exceed $100 million, Australia
Damage to crops, cars and homes produced by severe thunderstorms in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania on October 28, 2021, are still being counted but are estimated to exceed $100 million. The widespread destruction, particularly to farming communities, has prompted calls for government assistance.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared an Insurance Catastrophe for parts of South Australia impacted by significant hail, rain, and strong winds on October 28 and later extended the declaration to include those areas of Victoria and Tasmania affected by the same storm cell.1
Insurers have received almost 24 000 claims from South Australian policyholders by November 1 however this number is expected to rise over coming days.
Approximately two-thirds of claims received so far are for motor vehicle damage.
Victorian policyholders have lodged almost 12 000 claims over the past three days, with most claims for home property damage including from fallen trees.
ICA said they expect crop losses from the Barossa Valley region to be substantial.
Around 100 claims have been received from policyholders in Tasmania.
Insurers are advising that given the timing of last week’s storms it is likely many impacted properties will not be repaired in time for Christmas.
Apart from the time of year, repairs have also been impacted by factors including a shortage of tradespeople, a shortage of goods, and COVID border restrictions impacting the movement of assessors and tradespeople around the country.
The ICA is warning that the destruction left by the storms may lead to ‘disaster chasers’ moving into affected areas in coming days and weeks with an eye to take of advantage of the owners of damaged homes.
Widespread damage was reported across metro Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, and Barossa Valley.
"The storm brought a significant amount of damage, particularly up in the north and our very iconic Barossa Valley where crops have been decimated," 9News reporter Reporter Oliver Haig said.2
Thunderstorms have eased around #Adelaide this afternoon, but more storms are possible later this afternoon and evening. Remember you can monitor lightning data at https://t.co/C0r8uN526B and radar imagery at https://t.co/KOV97tyY9X pic.twitter.com/bLhVGZeQ9w
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) October 28, 2021
Reference:
1 Insurance Catastrophe extended to include Victoria and Tasmania – ICA
2 Residents assess the damage after storms hit South Australia – 9News
Featured image credit: BOM
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