Government promises swift compensation to storm victims (Updated)

The government pledged on Thursday it was working efficiently to quickly give compensation to over 150 people who saw their homes destroyed by severe weather.

Many people’s properties were damaged by the tornados that wrecked eastern parts of Limassol on Wednesday, with areas such as Yermasogia and Mouttayiaka hard-hit. Roofs were ripped off, electricity cut, and windows shattered across a number of homes.

So far, authorities recorded damage to 156 homes, two apartment buildings, eight commercial premises, 24 vehicles and a church.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said arrangements were made for residents to stay in hotels if their homes were not in a suitable condition in the aftermath of the storm.

“The images we all saw yesterday are indicative of the extent of the damage in the affected areas and the nightmarish moments experienced by dozens of our fellow citizens.”

Though Yermasoyia was the worst hit, the severity of the storm also affected areas such as Pyrgos, Zakaki, and Moni, said Limassol district officer Marios Alexandrou.

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said all repair costs will be compensated once the damages are detailed and the costs calculated.

Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou told the Cyprus Mail that “out of all the homes that experienced electricity outages, there’s only two remaining due to their damage being more severe.”

Employees from the EAC’s branch in Larnaca travelled to Limassol to assist in installing brand new wooden poles and transformers, restoring electricity to all affected homes except two in Yermasoyia by 9.00pm the next day.

Letymbiotis said 18 technicians were patrolling the affected areas to catalogue the damage and report it to authorities.

Six other workers aided with cleaning up waste, glass, and other debris.

However, the number of calls from residents has been constant since Wednesday night and is expected to increase.

Residents have been seeking shelter as many saw their roofs torn off and their homes wrecked by the tornadoes.

The government helped five families living in Yermasoyia temporarily stay in a hotel in Limassol.

Nonetheless, Yermasoyia Mayor Kyriakos Xydias told the Cyprus News Agency that the situation was visibly better as the road networks, water, and electricity had been repaired.

“The municipal team monitored Yermasoyia and other affected areas this morning due to the rain we had last night,” Xydias said.

Limassol mayor Nicos Nicolaides expressed his solidarity with the residents of Yermasoyia, expressing the wish that “all material damage be repaired as soon as possible” while expressing his readiness to take immediate action for all the assistance requested.

On Wednesday, residents in Yermasoyia woke up to destruction described as akin to ‘Biblical damage’ after severe weather.

One man had four fingers amputated after he tried to rush into his children’s room, when the door slammed shut on his hand.