MAJOR STORM DAMAGE, CLAIMS BEING COLLECTED FOR ASSESSMENT; 90 PERCENT OF CROP DESTROYED AT FAZAN WINERY

PRNJAVOR, AUGUST 31 /SRNA/ - Prnjavor is currently accepting claims for damage assessment following the severe storm that hit the area on Saturday, August 29, destroying nearly 90 percent of the crop at the Fazan winery in Lišnja.

The storm, accompanied by strong winds and hail, struck the Prnjavor area on Saturday, damaging roofs on residential and public buildings, while large hail caused damage to vehicles, crops and orchards. Gorana Milijaš, head of the Civil Protection Department in Prnjavor, told SRNA that the collection of claims for damage assessment is currently underway. After receiving claims from citizens, Milijaš said that the Damage Assessment Commission would visit the affected areas. The greatest damage to crops was recorded in the suburban settlements of Lišnja and Galjipovci, where strong winds and large hail caused the most damage to corn and orchards. Nada Harijan, a representative of the Fazan Winery in Lišnja, told SRNA that they also suffered damage to the facility, with the wind tearing off part of the roof, and that they have been without electricity for three days. Damage was also caused to the Meša Selimović Elementary School in Lišnja, where the roof structure was severely damaged, allowing water to enter the school premises. Classrooms, the staff room, offices of the principal and professional staff, as well as school corridors were damaged. School employees have repaired part of the damage, and an inspection of the roof, school premises, and electrical installations has been carried out. The relevant authorities have also been notified. According to records in the school archive, the roof structure was last repaired on September 6, 1997, with the work financed by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Grave insurance company told SRNA that by 10:00 a.m., two claims for damage to motor vehicles had been filed, both involving bodywork damaged by hail. In Belgrade Street, a tree fell on a vehicle. Its owner, Drago Stanić, told SRNA that the vehicle was a total loss. Fallen trees blocked traffic in Belgrade Street, while roads in the area around the Forestry Administration building were impassable due to broken branches and fallen trees. Fallen trees also damaged monuments at the city cemetery and the cemetery of the town mosque. The storm also caused power outages, with electricity restored during the day except in Lišnja.