Hurricane Modern buildings particularly vulnerable to storm in La Chaux-de-Fonds
The storm tore off countless house roofs. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Numerous roof tiles were torn off by the extreme gusts and hurled as dangerous projectiles through densely built-up neighborhoods. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
One person was killed by a fallen construction crane. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Numerous power lines were damaged by fallen trees. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
The storm tore off countless house roofs. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Numerous roof tiles were torn off by the extreme gusts and hurled as dangerous projectiles through densely built-up neighborhoods. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
One person was killed by a fallen construction crane. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Numerous power lines were damaged by fallen trees. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
According to a new analysis by the Association of Cantonal Building Insurers, the storm of the century in La Chaux-de-Fonds NE exposed the weaknesses of modern buildings in particular. Newer residential and office buildings in particular suffered above-average damage.
07.05.2026, 10:22
SDA
The authors of the study published on Thursday see indications that contemporary roof and façade constructions could be more susceptible to extreme wind events than older construction methods.
On July 24, 2023, shortly before midday, a thunderstorm supercell hit the watchmaking city within a few minutes with wind speeds of up to 217 km/h. One person in a car was killed by a fallen construction crane and around 50 people were injured.
According to the report, a total of 2769 buildings were damaged - almost 39 percent of the entire insured building stock. The total damage amounted to more than 130 million francs. It was the most severe natural hazard event in the canton of Neuchâtel since statistics began in 1930.
The analysis by the Association of Cantonal Building Insurers (VKG) is particularly critical of the effects of so-called debris strikes. Numerous roof tiles, sheet metal and façade parts were torn off by the extreme gusts and hurled as dangerous projectiles through densely built-up neighborhoods. This caused chain reactions: Flying building parts damaged other roofs, windows and facades, in some cases severely.
Roof tiles as projectiles
The authors expressly warn of the danger of inadequately secured roof tiles. Especially in newer buildings, roof and façade elements have come loose over large areas in some cases.
The VKG therefore recommends that roof tiles and other components be more strongly secured against wind uplift in future - for example by means of additional mechanical fastenings on exposed parts of the building and on roof edges. Such measures could prevent individual parts of buildings from becoming dangerous flying objects during storms.
The study also shows clear differences between building types. Agricultural buildings, garages and simple functional buildings proved to be comparatively robust.
In contrast, insurers recorded above-average damage to modern residential and service buildings. The report cites larger façade surfaces, lighter constructions and more sensitive building envelopes as possible reasons for this.
In addition to technical protective measures, the authors also recommend adjustments to building regulations and spatial planning. Extreme wind events should be given greater consideration in future.
