Dirk losses estimated at €275 million

The insured loss for Windstorm Dirk is estimated at €275 million according to catastrophe data organisation PERILS.

Dirk affected the UK and France causing the majority of losses in Southern England in the UK and in Brittany and Normandy in France, between December 23-25, 2013.

The initial estimate is based on gross loss data from insurers and excludes losses indemnified by government schemes such as CatNat in France.

Dirk formed over Newfoundland on December 22, 2013 and reached Western Europe on December 23, where the first strong gusts were recorded in Ireland that afternoon.

The highest wind speeds occurred in the UK and in France where storm surge and heavy precipitation accompanying the storm led to localized flooding.