More than 600 claims received related to Manitoba storm

High winds and heavy rain on July 29 have prompted more than 600 claims to be filed with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to date.

Figures from MPI show that it had received 615 related claims as of August 3. Of that total, 348 claims are for hail damage, 266 for “other, comprehensive” – most likely damage from high winds, which may have caused flying debris or things to blow over – and one for lightning damage.

Reports indicate driving rain and winds of as much as 98 kilometres/hour hit the province at about 6:30 pm on July 29.

Just days later on August 1, there was another storm, producing 154 claims so far.

Neither the July 29 or August 1 storms compare in terms of the number of claims to the major storm that pummelled Winnipeg with ice pellets on June 9. As of August 3, MPI had received 4,700 claims, the majority relating to hail damage.

MPI opened a special claim centre following the June storm dedicated to “hail only” estimating for individuals whose vehicles sustained damage.