Thunder Bay, Montreal floods cause $200 million in damage

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), citing data from Property Claim Services Canada (PCS-Canada), reports that the estimated insured damage caused by the recent wind and thunderstorm event that hit Ontario and Quebec amounts to more than $200 million.

PCS-Canada tracks insured losses arising from catastrophic events in Canada. Data confirm thousands of claims have been filed for damage to homes, cars and businesses in the wake of a storm system that hit Thunder Bay and Montreal over a span of four days (May 26-29, 2012).

The storm unleashed torrents of water that overwhelmed sewer systems and caused widespread flooding of streets, homes and buildings. There have been reports of flooded basements, flooded businesses and cars submerged under water.

Thunder Bay, Ontario declared a state of emergency after the rainstorm unleashed 91 millimeters on the city over a span of about 18 hours. At one point, 71 mm fell in the city in less than six hours. In Quebec, in a period of a couple of hours on May 29, the greater Montreal area received between 40 mm and 80 mm of rain.