Estimated insured losses from European winter storm Kyrill could reach £5.3bn according to AIR Worldwide.
“Winter Storm Kyrill is the worst storm to hit Europe in eight years,” said Peter Dailey, director of atmospheric science for research and modelling at AIR Worldwide.
“Kyrill produced winds in many parts of Europe that were strong enough to produce moderate levels of damage.”
"Winds reached hurricane intensity across Europe, with gusts reaching some 137 kph in some populated areas. Gales felled trees, tore roofs off buildings and tossed freight lorries.
"Upwards of one million customers in Poland and the Czech Republic; 100,000 in northern France; 15,000 in Austria; and hundreds of thousands in the UK and Germany are without power.
"Widespread flooding has also been reported in coastal and low-lying parts of Germany, including parts of Berlin. As is common following strong extratropical cyclones, cold air is now funneling into Europe causing temperatures to plummet.
“What was most notable about this event was its unusually large foot print,” continued Dailey. “The path of damaging winds extends north to south from Scotland to Switzerland and east to west from France to eastern Germany and beyond.”
