Canadian Underwriter
News

Calgary windstorm generates a flood of calls for assistance


August 15, 2012   by Canadian Underwriter


Print this page Share

Calgary firefighters received more than 130 calls for assistance during and after a severe windstorm on Aug. 14, just two days after the city was pummelled by golf ball-sized hail stones.

The fire department responded to downed power lines and trees, power outages and an accident scene where a semi-trailer ended up on its side. “At the height of the storm, nearly every piece of apparatus was on the road assisting the citizens of Calgary. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fires,” notes a press release from the department.

Media reports also noted that roads were flooded, operations at Calgary Airport were temporarily grounded, trees were toppled and residential roofs were damaged. Two window washers stranded on their platform outside the 22nd floor a building downtown had to be rescued.

Days earlier on the night of Aug. 12, southern Alberta was pelted with hail that caused damage to homes and vehicles.

“A severe thunderstorm swept through southern Alberta, hitting Calgary and surrounding areas with large amounts of rain, lighting and hail wider than five centimetres,” notes a statement from Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. Company adjusters were on the ground to handle the surge of claims.

“We are managing the events out of our regional branch offices and will deploy additional adjusters to the area if necessary,” says John Sharoun, chief executive officer of Crawford & Company (Canada).


Print this page Share

Have your say:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*