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Early-August storm in Alberta causes insured damage of upwards of $100 million


August 26, 2015   by Canadian Underwriter


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Insured damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds and a hailstorm that hit southern Alberta August 4 and 5 has been estimated to have $100 million-plus in insured damage, reports Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), citing figures from Property Claim Services (PCS), a Verisk Analytics business.

Calgary, Chestermere and Redwood Meadows received hail as big as 4.5 cm in circumference

A band of severe thunderstorms moved in and around the Calgary region, with Sundre receiving hail of as much as 3.5 cm in size, and Calgary, Chestermere and Redwood Meadows witnesses hail even larger, measuring as much as 4.5 cm in circumference, notes a statement Tuesday from IBC.

Beyond the hail, though, was the wind. The bureau reports that gusts of as much as 105 km/h blew through Patricia, while Calgary sustained winds of 50 km/h, with gusts of up to 78 km/h.

The storm’s $100 million preliminary estimate adds to this summer’s toll on Western Canada, with PCS already pegging insured damage for a July storm in Alberta and Saskatchewan at more than $230 million. The storm on July 21 and 22 brought hail, wind and rain to parts of both provinces.

IBC later noted that during that storm, “a tornado was sighted north of Priddis,” southwest of Calgary, and wind gusts of as much as 154 km/h were reported in Hussar, Pollockville and Cereal. In Saskatchewan, “strong winds brought down trees and utility poles in Regina,” the bureau added at the time.

Related: Some damage reported as hail, rain and strong winds whip through Calgary

The storms “serve as a notice that we need to make sure our insurance policies reflect current conditions and needs,” Bill Adams, vice president of IBC’s Western and Pacific Region, suggests in the statement.

Consumers are advised to ensure they understand their policies and risks to their properties, as well as to take action to reduce their vulnerability to damage. “Insurers are here to help you recover from severe weather events like this and also to help you prepare for the next storm,” Adams continues.

Of course, other parts of the country have also witnessed stormy weather this summer. On June 22, for example, parts of areas in and around Toronto and London were hit by floods. Citing preliminary estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ), IBC reported that insured damage was estimated at $30 million.


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