Canadian Prairies (Rural Roots Canada) – Golf-ball-sized hail in some parts of the Prairies has caused severe damage to ripe crops, as wet fields keep farmers from harvesting, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA).
In the second half of August, CCHA member companies investigated almost 2,000 crop-damage claims after storms swept through many areas of the Prairies.
“We haven’t seen this level of claims in 10 years,” said Yves Dooper with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.
“For this period, we had hail on 13 days,” added Rodney Schoettler of Municipal Hail Insurance. “The biggest days being August 23, 28, 29 and 30, all in Saskatchewan. 265,000 acres were hit in a small area.”
“These late storms should prove to be the most expensive event of the season,” said Schoettler.
Regional Breakdown of Storm Damage
Alberta
Crops damaged: All crops
Communities impacted: Abee, Ardley, Barnwell, Barrhead, Beiseker, Bon Accord, Bowden, Brownfields, Cardston, Carstairs, Cayley, Chauvin, Clandonald, Condor, Coronation, Craigmillar, Cremona, Del Bonita, Derwent, Desjarlais, Drumheller, Eckville, Elnora, Foremost, Galahad, Gibbons, Girouxville, Hairy Hill, Haynes, Heath, Heinsburg, Huxley, Linden, Lloydminster, Lougheed, Madden, McLennan, Metiskow, Morinville, Munson, Nanton, Neutral Hills, Nevis, Newbrook, Olds, Parkland, Penhold, Purple Springs, Radway, Red Deer, Redwater, Rivercourse, Rockyford, Rowley, Rumsey, Sedgewick, Shandro, Silver Valley, Springbrook, St Albert, Standard, Stauffer, Sunnyslope, Taber, Talbot, Three Hills, Thorhild, Throne, Trochu, Tulliby Lake, Turin, Two Hills, Vermillion, Wainwright, Wanham, Watino, Whitelaw, Wildmere, Willingdon, Wimborne, Worseley
Saskatchewan:
Crops damaged: All crops
Communities impacted: Assiniboia, Avonlea, Balcaerss, Bengough, Broadview, Carrot River, Ceylon, Coronach, Creelman, Estevan, Fillmore, Francis, Glenavon, Grayson, Grenfell, Indian Head, Kelvington, Kerrobert, Kindersley, Kinistino, Kipling, Kronau, Lang, Midale, Milestone, Montmartre, Neudorf, Nipawin, Odessa, Ogema, Pangman, Prince Alabert, Radville, Rockglen, Sedley, Spiritwood, Stoughton, Vibank, Wadena, Weyburn, Windthorst, Yellow Grass
Manitoba
Crops damaged: all crops
Communities impacted: Benito, Dominion City, Dunrea, Melita, Morris, Ste Agathe, Virden, Waskada
