Canadian Prairies (Rural Roots Canada) – A destructive summer storm that blew through three provinces caused almost a quarter of a billion dollars in insured damage, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
The August storm brought large hail, strong winds, and torrential rain, and included confirmed tornadoes in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. In all, it’s estimated that the storm resulted in over $235 million in insured damage.
Alberta saw the largest share of losses, with vehicles making up roughly a third of all claims. The hardest hit communities included Brooks, Alberta; Radisson, Langham, and North Battleford in Saskatchewan; and Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
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“Many people in the path of this devastating storm had their lives disrupted and property damaged,” said Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific and Western, with the IBC, in a release. “Insurers continue to help residents and businesses recover and rebuild from this storm, and ensure every claim is resolved.”
Satellite imagery revealed a 420-kilometre-long “hail scar” stretching west of Brant, Alberta, and into Saskatchewan. Within that stretch, homes, farm buildings, and vehicles sustained significant or near-total damage and destruction. Crops across the storm’s path were destroyed, and livestock were killed.
That storm was part of a rough summer of weather across Western Canada. Wildfire and hailstorms in July and August pushed the total insured damage for the season to nearly $725-million. This includes the July 13 Calgary hailstorm that resulted in $164 million in insured damage, and the La Ronge, Flin Flon, Lac du Bonnet, and Shoe wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, causing roughly $360 million in insured losses.
“These severe weather events cause a significant emotional and financial toll on those affected,” added Sutherland. “As the recovery and rebuilding process moves forward, residents should stay in close contact with their insurance representatives and adjusters as they progress through the claims process.”
