Interior Ministry Estimates Damage Caused by High Winds at More Than €800,000

Kosice, 16 July (TASR) - The damage caused by last week's high winds in eastern Slovakia will probably exceed €800,000, according to the latest estimates that the Interior Ministry has provided to TASR. An emergency situation due to the high winds was still in place in 31 towns and villages and in the entire district of Gelnica (Kosice region) on Wednesday. "The clear-up work continues in towns and villages, such as removing fallen trees, cleaning municipal gutters and repairing damaged buildings," said the ministry's press department. According to the ministry, the exact amount of the damage will be known after municipalities' and residents' applications for one-off financial aid and reimbursement of costs related to clear-up work are submitted to and evaluated by the relevant district offices. "As in the past, the amount of expenditures on clear-up work is unpredictable and constantly changing over time with regard to the nature of extraordinary events. Our current estimate is that the damage caused by the high winds will exceed €800,000," specified the ministry. Eastern Slovakia was hit by strong winds and rain early last week, causing huge material damage to residents' property, infrastructure and transport networks. ko/df