Storm Boris

Storm Boris, a powerful storm system that swept across Europe from September 15th through the 18th has left a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm, which brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and high winds, has caused significant damage to buildings, infrastructure, and businesses across the continent. Some areas recorded record levels of precipitation for their region. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from the storm’s path. In Poland 40,000 were evacuated from Nysa. Power outages were also recorded across vast areas or the affected regions. As the full extent of the damage becomes clearer, the commercial insurance industry is anticipating a significant volume of claims. 

The storm has tragically resulted in several fatalities and injuries across Europe. As of September 20, 2024, the confirmed death toll is at least 24 people, with many more missing. 

Some of the hardest-hit regions include: 

Central Europe: Countries like Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria experienced severe flooding, with rivers overflowing their banks and inundating homes and businesses. Significant damage has also affected transport routes, including the destruction of a bridge that collapsed into the river Elbe in the City of Dresden. 

Northern Italy: The Emilia-Romagna region was particularly hard-hit, with widespread flooding and mudslides causing extensive damage to infrastructure and property. 

Eastern Europe: Several countries in Eastern Europe, including Hungary and Slovakia, were also affected by the storm, with reports of flooding and property damage. 

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Business Interruption Coverage Issues

It should be anticipated that the insurance industry will see significant claims presented in industries such as: 

Agriculture: with obvious damage to crops and livestock, but also in respect to the processing plants that will have been affected by power outages and transportation disruption. 

Tourism & Hospitality: widespread damage and transportation disruption will lead to a vast number of event cancellations. 

Manufacturing: damage and destruction of facilities and structures, as well as the vast disruption to the supply chain and transportation links. 

Early involvement of the appropriate experts can help with the need for any mitigation efforts.

MDD has considerable expertise in dealing with these types of claims and the complexities that may occur.  Experts like those of us at MDD will stress the need for proper audit protocols, controlling and sorting of costs and accounting for any potential saved expenses.

MDD has language speakers ready and available to assist, such as Markus Heiss (German), Guido Nolte (German), Marcelo Fazio (German, Italian, Spanish), Reinhard Krestel (German), Ed Secchi (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese), Kat Wilson (Polish and German), Laura Lagana (German), Stas Rafolt (Slovenian), Andreea Ilie (Romanian), Daria Olszewska (Polish).