A number of floats sustained slight damage while another was almost totally destroyed in the early hours of yesterday morning due to very high winds and driving rain.

Most of the floats, which were being stored near Fort St Elmo in Valletta, only sustained slight damages. But one, a children’s float, was not so lucky.

The much-consternated owner, Godwin Scerri, said that the wind ripped off a rotating giant mushroom at about 4am. All the floats were covered in plastic sheeting to shield them from the wind. But Mr Scerri’s design simply caught the wind. Cargo containers were also put up as wind buffers, but to no avail.

He said that 12 people had worked on the float for eight long months. “We spent a lot of money on that float. I don’t keep tabs on everything I spend on it, but I’m talking about at least Lm1,200. This float was a children’s float and 32 kids were supposed to be on it tonight (Friday) and over the weekend,” said Mr Scerri.

He said that float builders have been battling the elements for over 25 years. “Every year it is the same. I battled the winds and rain till 4am, but I could not stop it from tearing the float apart,” he said.

Mr Scerri said that if the government was still interested in promoting and supporting Carnival for tourists and locals alike, shelters should be set up. “All we want is somewhere that we can work on and somewhere where we can store our floats to prevent damage such as this. All that work and money down the drain!”

Some of the other floats suffered slight damage, as the plastic sheeting protected them enough to prevent the wind and rain from destroying them.

Carnival Commission spokesman Joseph Borda said that although the floats were not on parade yesterday, they were to be given better shelter last night. “King Carnival (made) his appearance in Valletta. The others will take shelter opposite the President’s Palace and in St James’ ditch,” said Mr Borda.

Yesterday’s altered programme started with a dance routine by a troupe of Maskaruni at 5.30pm. The traditional opening sfilata (parade) followed by the Carnival floats. Mr Borda said that weather permitting, today’s Carnival programme should remain unchanged.