One hundred and sixty compensation claims have reached the Municipality of Kumanovo after the storm of 20 July. That is how many residents and businesses decided their damage was big enough to file a document and then wait.

Most of the claims concern damaged facades, roof structures torn off family houses and apartment buildings, damaged roofs, and vehicles hit by falling branches and pieces of roofing. There are also claims for flood damage from rainwater that ran off the streets and pavements into buildings, and for damaged agricultural crops.

The deadline for filing expired on 31 July. The damage assessment commission has held two meetings so far and reviewed every claim received. After the on-site inspection it will produce a report, which will then be sent to the government commission for further action.

And here comes the sentence worth reading twice. The Municipality reminds residents that, under the law, owners of buildings are obliged - through routine and capital maintenance - to ensure that their structures meet the basic requirements for safety and functionality.

Translated: the wind took your roof, but before you see a single denar, somebody will check whether that roof was maintained well enough. Formally - correct. Practically - it is a message to 160 families that the procedure comes with an exit door.

Almost three weeks have passed since the storm. The claims are in, the commission has met twice, the report is still not finished, and after that it has to travel to the government. How long does it take before somebody left without a roof over their head sees any money? None of the institutions involved names a deadline. Only that the procedure is under way.