Insured losses from cyclone Niklas in Europe estimated at 1.0 billion to 1.9 euros: AIR Worldwide

AIR Worldwide is estimating that insured losses from extratropical cyclone Niklas – which hit Europe in late March and early April – could range from 1.0 billion to 1.9 billion euros, with Germany expected to see the majority of losses.

In an information post Monday afternoon, AIR Worldwide notes that recorded wind speeds for Niklas across Germany ranged from 119 km/h in various coastal areas to the maximum reported measurement of 192 km/h on Zugspitze, the country’s highest mountain.

Beyond Germany, losses also occurred in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, AIR Worldwide adds.

The loss estimate reflects insured physical damage from wind to property – residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and auto – for both structures and their contents. It does not, however, include business interruption and additional living expenses for residential claims for modelled countries (except the United Kingdom), losses to uninsured properties, losses to infrastructure and demand surge.

Cyclone Niklas https://t.co/4xaTWlkQBl (16095 bytes) pic.twitter.com/Io4zNrV26j

— Wikipedia new pages (@enwikinewpages) April 5, 2015

AIR Worldwide reports that a low pressure system (Niklas) formed Mar. 29, strengthening the next day as it moved southeastward over Europe. On March 31, Niklas developed into a strong storm centered over Denmark and the southern Baltic Sea, bringing high winds and heavy precipitation to parts of the U.K. and Germany (the arrival of its cold front in Germany’s alpine region by the evening of Mar. 31 further caused widespread intense precipitation and strong squalls).

Niklas continued to move eastward, causing intermittent squalls, heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, and snowstorms in locations less than 500 metres above sea level, notes the AIR Worldwide post. “The storms felled trees that damaged vehicles and buildings, including their roofs and façades, and disrupted rail and air travel during the busy holiday season,” it adds.

AIR Worlwide points out that although the average wind speeds for Niklas are lower than for Kyrill in 2007, “the extent of damaging winds is comparable, which makes Niklas one of the larger storms to have impacted Europe.”

Cyclone #Niklas winking over #Brussels #Belgium tonight pic.twitter.com/ioZFUIyVtm

— Yovka Dimitrova (@YovkaDimitrova) March 31, 2015