DAMAGE DUE TO GALE FORCE WINDS – 13th January 2010
A low pressure of 998hPa passing from west to eart over Sicily was the cause of the gale force winds experience late overnight on the 13th January 2010.
Some damage was caused with trees uprooted, paving tiles dislodged by the rough sea and debris washed ashore. At Marsalforn Gozo, the road along the beach was impassable as the seas dislodged the promenade’s tiling, dragging some of the slabs onto the road. A concrete block holding some of the railings was also overturned.
Ċirkewwa also suffered structural damage as concrete slabs bordering the sea were broken apart and torn off their steel mesh. At least two cars were scratched and dented by debris blown about by the wind, one in Għaxaq and the other in Ċirkewwa.
Highest gusts were as follows – Melieha 104.0km/h (Force 11), Nadur 86.9km/h (Force 9), Rabat 83.7km/h (Force 9), 82.1km/h at Naxxar (Force 9), 80.4km/h at Zebbug Malta (Force 9), 78.8 km/h at Attard (Force 9), 74.0km/h at Mgarr Malta (Force 8), 70.8km/h at Zejtun (Force 8).