Insurance claims associated with the May 20 tornado that hit New Zealand’s northern island town of Taitoko Levin have amounted to $NZ 8.1 million ($7.3 million), according to early data from the Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kahui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ).

The council’s data shows 807 claims were made due to the event, with domestic claims accounting for 532.

ICNZ also reports 184 vehicle claims, 86 commercial claims, two business interruption and three other claims.

It says tornados in the Horowhenua region are unusual but expects to see more due to the impact of climate change.

“A warmer atmosphere is more energetic and capable of holding more moisture which can give rise to more extreme weather events such as storms and related phenomena such as tornados,” ICNZ CEO Tim Grafton said.

The data shows domestic claims averaged just over $12,000, and the average vehicle claim was around $4200.

The tornado rendered several homes uninhabitable, leaving others requiring major repair works. Insurers have been working with affected victims to provide temporary accommodation.