(Rural Roots Canada) – More than one million acres were damaged or destroyed by hail and strong winds after multiple devastating storms blew through the Prairies the week of August 19-25, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA).

In all, some 2,800 crop damage claims were made across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the biggest week for claims in August in the last decade.

“This was one of our busiest weeks, with multiple storms producing hail of all sizes, accompanied by big winds,” said Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance. These claims follow weeks of claims because of damaging storms.

The CCHA is asking clients to be patient as insurance companies process claims and send out adjusters to survey the damage.

Regional Breakdown of Storm Damage 

Alberta

Crops damaged: Alfalfa, barley, dry beans, canola, chickpeas, corn, faba beans, lentils, mustard, oats, peas, Timothy, triticale, wheat

Communities impacted: Milk River, Grassy Lake, Nanton, Champion, Armada, Rockyford, Rosebud, Hussar, Dorothy, Three Hills, Morrin, Craigmyle, Coronation, Hughenden, Wetaskiwin, Rosalind, Viking, Innisfree, Derwent, Heinsburg, Leduc, Neerlandia, Fort Assiniboine

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: All crops

Communities impacted: McTaggart, Milestone, Lang, Yellow Grass, Colfax, Lewan, Saskatoon, Blaine Lake, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, Davidson, Wadena, Yorkton, Melville, Moose Jaw, Regina, Estevan, Assiniboia, Shaunavon, Swift Current, Yorkton, Weyburn, Bechard, Riceton 

Manitoba

Crops damaged: Wheat, canola, corn, soybeans, peas, corn, canola

Communities impacted: Virden, Elkhorn, Russell, Roblin, Solsgirth, Birtle, Two Creeks, Hargrave, Maples, Harmsworth

For more information and to view past reports, you can visit the CCHA website.

COMPARE: Hail Report: Golf Ball-Sized Hail Destroys Crops Across the Prairies