Storms cause damage of $130m in the Netherlands

Monday's storms caused damage worth 95 million euros (130 million U.S. dollars) in the Netherlands, according to a first estimate of the Dutch Association of Insurers on Tuesday. Costs will probably rise because current estimates only take into account private damage and not that suffered by the government and agricultural sector. Strong winds of up to 150 km per hour led to trees falling on cars or homes and flying roof tiles and debris causing damage to homes, business premises and vehicles. However, Monday's storm was not the worst in Dutch history. On Jan. 18, 2007, storm Kyrill caused losses of more than 200 million euros. The damage on Monday could have been worse if Dutch authorities had not issued early warnings. "As Dutch weather station KNMI issued a code red in time and because of timely advice by the fire brigade in some areas, more misery was prevented," Dutch Association of Insurers CEO Richard Weurding said. The storm claimed two lives and caused at least 25 injuries. The fire department had to attend more than 9,000 storm-related incidents.