A thunderstorm that hit Calgary on late Saturday night has left the city reeling from significant hail damage and flooding.
While no injuries resulting from the extreme weather event have been reported, the thunderstorm caused hail the size of golf balls – or in some cases, the size of baseballs – mangling houses and cars. The hailstones fell at a speed of 80 to 100 km/h, Environment Canada estimated.
Weather Network Calgary bureau chief Kyle Brittain told CBC News that such hailstorms appear to occur in Alberta every 1-in-5 or 1-in-10 years. He also pegged the damage caused by the hail at around $100 million.
Brittain also warned that the hailstorm season has not even begun, and worse weather events could be in store once the season beings in July.
“It seems to be off to an early start this year,” he said.
“There’s nothing stopping another one from happening in the same city later this year.”
Flooding is also a major issue due to the thunderstorm. Basements across Calgary have been inundated, and several residential streets and intersections had to be closed down because they were impassible. Cars on flooded streets were also left stranded – the city said that any vehicles left abandoned on major roadways would be towed.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) western vice-president Celyeste Power gave assurances that Calgary residents who suffered property damage due to the thunderstorm can rest easy, since many insurance policies cover hail damage.
“Essentially, the silver lining here for folks who are dealing with a lot of stress and turmoil this morning is that typically hail damage is covered under most home policies,” Power told Calgary Herald, adding that hail damage should also be covered by comprehensive auto insurance.
The IBC executive encouraged all homeowners and car owners affected to assess the damage their properties/vehicles had sustained.
“So, when you’re assessing the damage, list all damaged items, assemble proof of purchase, receipts, warranties, anything you have on hand and, if possible, take pictures of the damage you are seeing,” Power said.
