The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has announced that the storms that hit Western Canada this summer have collectively caused an estimated total of more than $300 million in insured damage.
Based on data from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification (CatIQ), IBC broke down and listed the weather events classified as catastrophes (events where insured damage estimates were over $30 million) during the summer period:
In this catastrophe, strong thunderstorms developed over Alberta and Saskatchewan, with hot and humid conditions enabling the formation of large supercell-type storm cells. At least one tornado was confirmed near Bergen, AB, and large hail caused damage to vehicles and properties in Ponoka and Oyen. Other tornadoes were also spotted in Saskatchewan, as well as flash flooding.
During this period, a series of severe thunderstorms struck the Prairies, bringing heavy rain, large hail, and damaging winds. At least one tornado and a downburst were confirmed in Alberta. Very large hail also caused property damage in Ponoka, AB, while several tornadoes were identified in Saskatchewan.
A storm system stretching across much of Western and Central Canada left a trail of damaging severe weather. Tornadoes were confirmed in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and large hail, heavy rain, and flooding also occurred. Damages to homes, other structures, trees, and power lines stretched from Southern Alberta to Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula.
A cluster of severe thunderstorms led to at least two tornadoes during the period, on top of hail and flooding.
Large hailstones in Central Alberta destroyed windows, while a number of storm cells produced wind gusts at speeds more than 100km/h, along with heavy rain and flooding. It was noted that the storm managed to drift as far east as Saskatoon, SK over the course of just two days. This weather event also severely damaged cars along Highway 2 in Alberta, and properties between Central Alberta and Central Saskatchewan.
“IBC reminds consumers that damage caused by wind and rain is typically covered by home, commercial property and comprehensive auto insurance policies,” the bureau stated in a release. “Insurers continue to work diligently through the entire claims process to help clients impacted by these storms.”
IBC also noted that new estimates from CatIQ have now placed the projected insured damage costs of the July 02, 2021 hailstorm in Calgary have now reached over $600 million – more than double the initial estimate made immediately following the event. The hailstorm is considered one of Canada’s top 10 costliest weather events in its history.
The bureau gave a warning that insurance claims from severe weather have more than quadrupled across Canada since 2008, with the new normal for annual insured catastrophe losses in Canada pegged at $2 billion.
