The Met Office has calculated that damage due to severe weather costs the UK more than £1bn every year. It has estimated that the 90mph gales experienced in January alone could cost £150m.
The Met Office has devised a 'Severe Weather Impacts Model' to assess these costs and show the financial benefits of being prepared for bad weather. It predicts that savings could be as much as £60m per year.
The head of government business at the Met Office, Stewart Wass, said: "The model illustrates that severe weather can have a catastrophic effect economically and socially.
"It also indicates that with improved resources, such as a more detailed forecasting service and increased awareness and warning within our infrastructure services, the impact of severe weather can be reduced with millions of pounds saved."
