Initial Industry Loss Estimate for Windstorm Éowyn Set at €619 Million
Zurich-based catastrophe insurance data provider, PERILS, has announced its initial industry loss estimate for the recent extratropical windstorm “Éowyn”, also referred to as “Gilles”. The estimated losses stand at €619 million, derived from loss data supplied by affected insurers.
The storm, which struck on January 24-25, 2025, unleashed exceptionally strong winds across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Central Belt of Scotland. According to PERILS, for Ireland, Éowyn represents the most significant windstorm loss in over 45 years, while for the UK, it is the largest since February 2022.
Éowyn was characterized as a highly intense European extratropical cyclone, with record-setting wind speeds reaching 185 km/h in Ireland. The storm’s ferocity led to widespread power outages, affecting approximately 1.8 million premises, and brought transportation systems to a near halt. The high winds inflicted substantial property damage, and tragically, two individuals lost their lives in storm-related incidents.
This estimate from PERILS pertains to the property sector, aligning with the company’s coverage definition for Europe. An updated estimate of the market loss is scheduled to be released by PERILS three months post-event on April 25, 2025.
PERILS noted, “While Éowyn’s impact on the insurance sector was typical from a European standpoint, with events of this scale happening roughly once annually, its impact on Ireland was unprecedented in recent history.”
Luzi Hitz, Product Manager at PERILS, remarked, “Two notable aspects of Éowyn’s impact stand out. Firstly, despite the storm’s intensity, it resulted in only two fatalities, likely due to the timely warnings issued by Met Éireann and the UK Met Office, which the public heeded.
Secondly, the insurance industry’s impact was relatively moderate given the extensive area affected by high winds. This can be attributed to the construction standards and roofing practices in Ireland and northern UK, regions that are well-prepared for such windstorm events.”
