Lean Environmental Solutions

Guide · Georgia

Strong wind and storm

Strong wind tears greenhouse film, breaks branches, damages roofs and power lines, and blows topsoil off dry fields.

Who and when

Dry winds wear away the soil on wheat fields in Dedoplistskaro. Months: spring and summer. In August 2021, hail and wind damaged about 4,600 ha of vineyards in Telavi, Gurjaani and Kvareli.

Trend: unclear.

Right now

Right now (autumn 2026)

  • The premium for next year's insurance on perennial crops (vines, orchards) is due after harvest and by 31 Dec 2026. Storm is covered.
  • Jul 2026: the new METEO.GOV.GE app warns of strong wind up to 3 days ahead.
  • Apr 2026: the early warning programme, which includes strong winds, had installed 79 new weather and river stations.
Before

Before: get ready

  1. Get warnings: the METEO.GOV.GE app.
  2. In November, fix animal shelters and windbreaks, and check roofs.
  3. Before a forecast storm, tie down loose sheets and tools. (general practice, check locally)
  4. Plant windbreak rows in October to November or February to April.

Money: state agro-insurance covers storm for crops. The state pays 70% of the premium (75% in villages near the dividing line). Cover starts 4 days after you buy, so buying after a forecast is too late. Your land must be registered and your farm on the farm register. Ask RDA on 1501. The State Agro Co-financing Programme (since 1 Jul 2026) can pay up to 50% of a greenhouse or barn project.

During

During: when it hits

  1. Stay away from greenhouses and old buildings. (general practice, check locally)
  2. Shelter animals. (general practice, check locally)
  3. Switch off power to barns that may be damaged. (general practice, check locally)
  4. Call 112 if someone is hurt or in danger.
After

After: recover

First days

  • Check buildings before you go in. (general practice, check locally)
  • Make only safe, temporary repairs. (general practice, check locally)
  • Take dated photos of broken branches, torn film and roofs before you clear anything.

First weeks

  • Do not settle with the insurer until you know all the damage. (general practice, check locally)

Money and help

  • Record damage with photos that show date, time and place. Leave damaged crops as they are until the assessor has seen them.
  • Report to your insurer fast. The reporting deadline is in your policy; ask the insurer or RDA on 1501. Assessors have 2 weeks for annual crops and 3 weeks for perennials. The vineyard package covers the grapes, not the vines.
Build back better

Build back better

  1. Windbreak strips. Georgia runs a state programme for windbreaks. The World Bank names windbreaks as one of the changes that would bring Georgian farmers large benefits.
  2. Cooperatives can insure with no land limit.

What the farm check looks for

Greenhouses and barns with no windbreak. Open, dry wheat fields in eastern Georgia. Crops not insured for storm before the season.

Get a free farm check

Sources