The insurance industry was busy counting the cost of the tornado in Somerset Bridge as The Royal Gazette went to press last night.

As investigations into the extent of the damage began, several companies said it was too early to say how much it would all cost to repair.

A spokesman at Colonial Insurance said he had taken calls relating to two buildings that suffered some damage, but was unable to say who severe it was until its surveyor had returned from the scene.

It was a similar story at the Freisenbruch-Meyer Group, which reported that one householder insured by the group had reported damage to a roof, which was being assessed.

A spokesperson for the Argus insurance group said it had not yet had any reported claims relating to the tornado strike.