The storms that occurred on August 8th have caused extensive damage in the municipality of Aramaio. The phenomena, spanning two kilometers in width and seven in length, have impacted approximately 1400 hectares. Initially, the storm entered from the south, unleashing hail for about seven minutes, before returning with force from the north after a brief respite. Two weeks later, the consequences remain evident, particularly in young forest plantations, cider orchards, and vegetable gardens.
Homes also sustained damage from the hail. In Ibarra, for instance, numerous gutters were perforated, with the parish church being among the most affected buildings. Walls in some residences suffered severe impacts, and many vegetable gardens were devastated. Some vehicles also sustained cracks, and compensation for these damages will need to be handled with insurance companies, as stated by the City Council. The vegetable gardens of Barajuén and the apples of Zalga also experienced significant damage, leading to the loss of a substantial portion of the harvest in these areas.
In the forests, the damage is more severe and will not be covered by insurance. In the forested area stretching from Besaide, through Tellamendi, to the vicinity of Izpizte, young conifers and pine stands under ten years old have borne the brunt of the hail's direct impact. There is a high risk of infection entering the wounded trees, with the potential to spread throughout the entire pine forest. Experts have informed Mayor Asier Agirre that it may be necessary to undertake deforestation and reforestation efforts again in these areas, incurring significant economic losses.
In response to this damage, the mayor has been in contact with the Provincial Council of Álava to conduct an initial assessment. "We have been inspecting the plots with the technicians from the Provincial Council, and the situation surprised them," Agirre stated.
The City Council intends to compile a report detailing the overall impact of the hail damage and present it to the Provincial Council. They hope this will facilitate obtaining a subsidy to mitigate the forest disaster for the following year. To this end, the City Council has requested citizen assistance: "We would appreciate it if citizens could send photographs and information about damages to their land or properties – such as vegetable gardens, homes, forests, or fruit trees – to the email address [harrera@aramaio.eus](mailto:harrera@aramaio.eus)," they explained.
Finally, Agirre wished to commend the citizens' response following the storm. It was the residents themselves who were the first to participate in the cleanup and recovery efforts, and he expressed his gratitude for their actions.
