Clearing up storm damage to Polish forests will take until 2019: official

Anna Malinowska, a spokeswoman for Poland’s State Forests, added that it would take 80-100 years for mature trees to return to areas devastated by the storms.

Konrad Tomaszewski, Director General of State Forests, said: "We are dealing with undoubtedly the greatest disaster in the history of Polish forestry -- and I suspect in the history of European forestry.”

The gales killed at least six people and injured about 50 others while also damaging hundreds of homes and wreaking havoc in forests in Poland's north and west on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Malinowska added: “The last report we received... said that 45,000 hectares of forests have been damaged.”

Interior Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said that local authorities have received more than PLN 30 million earmarked for support for families hit by the storms.

(pk)

Source: PAP