On Friday 12 July, severe storms raged across Baden-Württemberg and caused considerable damage, particularly in the Ludwigsburg district, the Rems-Murr district, and the Calw district. Garden centers with greenhouse production and foil houses were particularly affected. Hailstones, some as large as table tennis balls, caused total damage to the glass and destroyed the crops and inventory in the greenhouses and polytunnels. The horticultural insurance company has currently received reports from 30 affected businesses.
The storm was caused by a combination of very warm, humid air from the southwest and an approaching cold front from the northwest. This perfect constellation for heat thunderstorms led to heavy rain, storms, and hailstones with a diameter of up to five centimeters.
Left: A destroyed greenhouse with total glass damage after the hailstorm. Right: Harvesting is not possible in this greenhouse for the time being. Glass splinters have severely damaged the crops and the irrigation pipes.
The field staff of the horticultural insurance company began settling the claim on Saturday morning. "It is very important to us that our risk consultants are on site as quickly as possible in order to record the damage promptly and, if necessary, initiate initial payouts. They also advise on how to proceed and support the damaged businesses in order to avoid consequential damage," emphasizes Christian Senft, Chairman of the Board of Gartenbau-Versicherung.
Pictures: Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG
For more information: www.gevau.de