Damage bill from freak storm to hit $100 million
UPDATE: Hundreds of cars and homes damaged by Friday’s freak storm will be assessed by insurers from Monday as the statewide damage bill soars to $100 million.
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HUNDREDS of cars and homes damaged by Friday’s freak storm will be assessed by insurers from Monday as the statewide damage bill soars to $100 million.
The RAA, one of the state’s biggest insurers, has been inundated with more than 1200 claims since the storm struck and is conservatively estimating its liability for damaged properties and vehicles at $2 million.
Total losses in the Riverland, where 10-minute deluges of golf-ball-sized hail stripped grape vines as well as citrus, stone fruit and almond trees, was estimated to reach $100 million.
The State Government says it will assist farmers but is still considering how a package will be formulated.
In the city, homes and vehicles were pummelled by hail when the wild storm whipped through about 4.30pm on Friday.
RAA insurance claim manager Hayley Cain said about 1200 insurance claims had been made since 5pm on Friday.
“We’re expecting more claims (today) in excess of $2 million which is a very conservative figure,” Ms Cain said.
“Until the cars are assessed we won’t know how many are write-offs, but if there’s more than three panels damaged, the repair bill goes up.
“So we’re expecting the number to go up further both in the amount of claims and damages.”
Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell, who visited the Riverland on Sunday, said the storm had been “indiscriminate”, flattening the livelihood of some farmers, while other crops went untouched.
“In 10 minutes, this huge storm destroyed an entire year’s work — it’s quite devastating for these growers,” he said.
He said the Government would help those affected but exactly how a financial package would work was still being considered.
The loss of produce in the Riverland, one of the state’s biggest foodbowls, is expected to eventually lead to higher prices for consumers for some items.
About 150 properties in the Murraylands were still without power at 6pm on Sunday after losing supply during the height of the storm on Friday night.
SA Power Networks was working to restore power to the affected areas, which had been delayed because of safety concerns, with supply expected to be returned by Monday morning.
Wind gusts in excess of 90km/h across parts of the state during the weekend also caused havoc.
State Emergency Service volunteers responded to more than 550 call outs since the storm hit on Friday, mostly for fallen trees and damaged roofs.
The mercury in Adelaide on Sunday reached a miserly 17.1C, the coldest November day in the city since 2010.
The Adelaide Hills copped the biggest drenching in the 24 hours until 9am on Sunday, with Verdun recording 44mm of rainfall, while 39mm was dumped at Inglewood.
Port Pirie father Michael Ogston, 43, spent Sunday at Brighton beach to celebrate his birthday with his children Elysha, 12, Jasmine, 11, and six-year-old Holly.
“It was a bit blowy but it was still a nice day,” he said.
A high of 19C with a morning shower or two is forecast in the city for Monday.
For the latest power outages, go to the SA Power Networks website.
Growers needing assistance should call PIRSA’s Riverland Storm Recovery Hotline on 0476 834 530