Malta is counting the cost after Storm Harry lashed the islands over an extended period between Monday and Tuesday, leaving behind widespread damage to farms, coastal businesses, construction sites and maritime infrastructure.
While no fatalities or major injuries were reported, the storm’s impact is being felt both at a national level and by individuals, particularly in the south and southeast of the country, with Marsaskala among the worst-hit localities.
The storm brought with it strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas, disrupting daily life and damaging property across Malta and Gozo. By early Tuesday morning, wind speeds in Valletta had reached 56 knots, equivalent to around 103 kilometres per hour.
Among those hardest hit were farmers, many of whom were already reeling from damage caused by an unusually heavy hailstorm last Satirday. Tuesday’s strong winds caused extensive damage to greenhouses and polytunnels, with farmers reporting losses running into thousands of euros.
The greenhouses are used to grow vegetables and fruit. Farmers reported that repairing the structures would cost between €3,000 and €4,000, but when crop losses are factored in, the total damage could reach around €5,000.
Other farmers also reported damage in areas such as Manikata, Mellieha and Gudja, underlining the widespread nature of the impact on agriculture.
In response, the Agriculture Ministry said it is preparing to collect detailed reports of the damage suffered by farmers. Those affected have been urged to submit geotagged photos through the Biedja Cam platform, along with information about their crops and property, between Wednesday and Friday. Inspections will follow in the coming days, and the compiled information will be sent to the European Commission with a view to drawing up an assistance scheme. Farmers needing support were advised to contact the AgriConnect helpline.
Beyond agriculture, the storm left a trail of destruction along Malta’s coastline. In Marsaskala, several businesses were flooded as powerful waves, driven by strong winds, surged onto the coastal road. A restaurant owner said he is facing thousands of euros in damages after seawater and construction debris crashed through his premises, destroying the shopfront, damaging fridges, furniture and the electrical system, and flooding the kitchen.
Large shards of glass were scattered along the road, while metal debris from a nearby construction project was hurled into the restaurant by the storm. Barriers and advertising banners linked to works along the promenade were also strewn across the area. Other restaurants along the same stretch of road reported similar flooding, while CCTV footage from another coastal location showed waves smashing a glass door and tearing it off its hinges at Il-Forn tal-Għawdxi restaurant.
The works to regenerate the promenade, part of a larger project linked to a planned ferry terminal, have already been controversial, with critics raising concerns about transparency and planning. Storm Harry has added to those concerns, exposing vulnerabilities along the coast during extreme weather events.
Other coastal areas such as Sliema and St Julian’s were also hit.
There were also several near-misses during the storm. In Marsaskala, a worker at a restaurant narrowly avoided being crushed when a glass door was blown off its hinges by waves. In another incident, a Transport Malta worker described a terrifying moment when his car was surrounded by waves in the same area.
Fishermen across Malta were deeply concerned as they worried about the safety of their boats, particularly in the south of the island where the storm was most intense. In Marsaxlokk, small boats were washed onto the road, while in nearby Birżebbuġa a sailing boat ended up smashed against the shore.
Some fishermen blamed not only the storm, but also shortcomings in coastal infrastructure. A 110-metre breakwater project at Ponta tal-Qrejten in Marsaxlokk was completed in 2021 to provide shelter during rough seas, but fishermen and their representatives have argued that it needs to be extended to offer adequate protection in severe weather.
As heavy rain followed the strong winds on Tuesday evening, flooding was reported in several streets across the islands. In Valletta, the Franciscan monks at Ta’ Ġieżu church issued an appeal for prayers as water began flowing into the historic building when drains failed to cope with the volume of rainfall. Shortly afterwards, they reported that a blockage had been cleared and the situation brought under control.
Addressing parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said Storm Harry battered the Maltese Islands with winds reaching Force 9, but despite widespread damage and hundreds of calls for assistance, no major or fatal incidents were reported. He said authorities had acted on early warnings from the Meteorological Office, coordinating closely with the Civil Protection Department and issuing precautionary measures and public appeals ahead of the storm.
Camilleri thanked members of the disciplined forces and other essential workers who operated around the clock in difficult conditions. He said he and Prime Minister Robert Abela visited emergency personnel during the storm to offer support. The minister also noted that the public had largely responded responsibly to official warnings, with the emergency number 112 used appropriately by hundreds of callers.
The Building and Construction Authority said it carried out 107 inspections at construction sites across Malta and Gozo during the storm, including spot checks and emergency inspections linked to weather-related risks. Where necessary, enforcement action was taken to safeguard public safety.
As the clean-up continues, the full financial cost of Storm Harry has yet to be calculated. What is already clear, however, is that the storm has left a significant mark on Malta’s agricultural sector, coastal communities and infrastructure, prompting renewed questions about preparedness and resilience in the face of increasingly severe weather events.