Heavy hailstorms cause massive damage in the Lower Austrian agriculture

Tuesday night (5. May 2015) the "hail season" started in the districts of Krems an der Donau, Tulln and Korneuburg of Lower Austria with unusually heavy hailstorms. Up to 3 cm large hailstones caused damage to more than 5,000 hectares of agricultural land amounting to approximately EUR 5 million. An area of approximately 3,000 hectares with wine cultures, rape and fruit, was seriously affected.

Photos - Sprout damage

"The storm, relatively early in the year, had dramatic consequences for the farmers. Such massive hailstorms usually do not occur before the end of May,” said Dr. Kurt Weinberger, CEO of the Austrian Hail Insurance Company.

The Hail Insurance has insured more than 80 percent of agricultural land in Lower Austria against hail. The damage assessment by experts is already underway to ensure efficient handling of claims. "Professionally conducted damage assessments by experts and prompt payments of claims to farmers is the top priority for us this year," says Dr. Kurt Weinberger.

Note: Affected farmers can report their damage to the Austrian Hail Insurance online at www.hagel.at.

For more information:
Ing. Josef Kaltenböck
Austrian Hail Insurance Company
Tel: +43 (0)664 827 20 53