Antequera will request Government aid after 'the biggest hailstorm of the century'

The mayor, Manuel Barón, will ask for the area be declared a 'catastrophe zone' to access funds for the clean-up efforts after it was hit by hailstones the size of golf balls

SUR

Friday, 3 September 2021, 19:48

The mayor of Antequera is calling for the area to be declared a 'catastrophe zone' after it was battered by hailstones the size of golf balls on Wednesday afternoon, 1 September.

Manuel Barón wants the Government of Spain to offer aid to residents of the town for damage caused by the heavy hail storm, «including to individuals for damage to homes or basic necessities, mainly cars.»

The mayor said, «we are also going to request compensation to help cover the cost of hiring workers to repair damage», estimating that between five and ten workers will be needed for approximately fifteen days to a month «to leave everything perfectly clean and tidy.»

Meanwhile, insurance companies have been inundated with calls from people who have had property and vehicles damaged by the strong hailstorm.

The president of ASAJA agricultural association, Baldomero Bellido, has said that the hailstorm «has mainly affected the area from Bobadilla up to the Antequera road. It has also affected Mollina, Fuente de Piedra and Sierra Yeguas «but with rain more than hail.» He revealed that there are some areas «with between 50 and 60 per cent of the olives lying on the ground» after the storm, rendering them unsuitable for the table and they will need to be milled instead.