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Three severe Canadian weather events in 2009 caused insured damages totalling Cdn$637 million: IBC


December 22, 2009   by Canadian Underwriter


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Three separate severe weather events occurring in Alberta and Ontario in 2009 caused insured damages totalling Cdn$637 million, according to figures released by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
IBC says the various storms highlight the need for urgent action in managing the impact of climate change.
In Alberta, deadly windstorms tore through the province between Aug. 1 and Aug. 3, resulting in insurance payouts to claimants totalling Cdn$365-million.
Torrential rains in the Ottawa and Hamilton regions between July 24 and July 26 resulted in Cdn$196 million in insurance payouts.
And in mid-August 2009, a series of at least 14 tornadoes touched down in the Greater Toronto Area, causing insurance payouts in excess of Cdn$76 million.
“This year’s experience supports what insurers have known for some time,” IBC president and CEO Don Forgeron said in a press release. “Weather patterns are changing for the worse and severe weather events are becoming increasingly costly.
“An unfortunate amount of storm damage is caused by infrastructure failure. Local systems are overwhelmed and unable to handle current levels of precipitation.”
The insurance industry has long advocated to governments at all levels for adequate funding to renew municipal sewer and surface water infrastructure, IBC says.
Next year, the IBC is planning to introduce the Watershed Awards, which will recognize communities that are confronting severe weather by improving outdated infrastructure.


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