Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has estimated that it will have to pay insurance costs of up to $20 million for claims related to a severe thunderstorm event last week that pelted southern Manitoba with hailstones the size of softballs.
The insurer on Tuesday shared its projections after over 2,000 claims for hail damage were filed, CBC News reported. It is believed that the insurer will pay at least $10 million worth of claims.
“We expect that number to rise significantly as the days go on,” MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley said.
Smiley added that the areas hit the hardest by the storm were Morden, Winkler, Ninette and Manitou.
On June 14, southern Manitoba was beset by winds reaching 100 km/h and large hailstones – the weather was severe enough to cause power outages, down several trees, and damage property.
MPI has established dedicated hail centres in Winkler and Ninette to help process any claims related to the thunderstorm.
