Ontario and Quebec’s November storm tops $90 million in insured damage: IBC

A preliminary estimate from Property Claim Services indicates the late-November storm that brought with it heavy rains and winds across Ontario and Quebec caused more than $90 million in insured damage, reports the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

The storm Nov. 24-25 featured wind gusting as strong as 100 km/h, resulting in widespread damage when trees fell on buildings and vehicles, and downed hydro lines caused power outages for tens of thousands of people, IBC notes in a statement issued in late December.

“In 2014, weather-related insured damage in Ontario hit $200 million; that includes claims from the Burlington floods and the tornado in Angus,” says Ralph Palumbo, IBC’s vice president, Ontario. Citing the importance for communities to adapt in light of increasing severe weather, Palumbo says the industry is “talking with governments about improving infrastructure, updating flood maps and revisiting land use planning to keep homes off flood plains.”

On Nov. 25, Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) declared the windstorm that hit the southern regions of Ontario and Quebec night to be a catastrophe.

South of the border, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reported in late November that 2014 insurance losses from winter storms in the United States could reach $2.5 billion. The I.I.I. made the prediction following a spate of arctic cold surge and heavy snow accumulations in parts of the U.S. earlier that month.

Pointing out that the storm could signal a repeat of last winter’s deep freeze, I.I.I. reported a repeat of those deep freeze conditions could translate to frozen pipes, collapsed roofs, auto accidents and slip-and-fall injuries.

“Losses from snow, ice, freezing and related causes averaged US$1.2 billion annually over the past 20 years,” I.I.I. president Robert Hartwig said at the time. “This year, insured losses from severe winter events will be at least double that amount, likely exceeding US$2.5 billion by year’s end, making 2014 the fourth costliest year on record for winter storm losses,” Hartwig noted.

IBC released the preliminary damage estimate for the November storm in Canada just days before Canadians were cautioned to brace for the first significant winter storm of 2015.

Chris Scott, chief meteorologist for The Weather Network, reported Jan. 1 “confidence is now high that a significant winter storm will hit Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada this weekend and will have a significant impact on travel.”

Looking at anticipated affected regions:

• In northern and central Ontario, a snowstorm was forecast to extend all the way from the Manitoba border to Quebec. Significant snow and wind was expected for major centres, while the highest totals were likely to fall just north of the main storm track where 20-30 cm is possible.
• In southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, most areas were forecast to see snow on Saturday evening “followed by a brief changeover to ice pellets or freezing rain before changing to rain overnight.” While overall snowfall amounts were expected to be from less than 5 cm to 5-10 cm, depending on the area, it was anticipated that travel would be treacherous during the initial blast of precipitation, with roads likely snow-covered and slippery at the start of the storm. Very cold air was expected to follow by Sunday afternoon, “setting up wicked snow squalls.”
• In eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, including Ottawa and Montreal, the first burst of snow was expected overnight Saturday, producing 5-10 cm of snow/ice pellets, followed by a few hours of freezing rain (about 5 mm expected) Sunday morning. People were advised to expect very poor road conditions overnight Saturday into Sunday morning.
• In Atlantic Canada, the storm was forecast to move in Sunday morning, with most areas expected to see an initial burst of snow followed by a changeover to ice pellets and freezing rain. It was anticipated that conditions would be worse the farther north one went across the Maritimes as cold air and snow/icy mix was expected to linger longer before warmer air and rain moved in. Newfoundland was forecast to see the system overnight Sunday into Monday. Road conditions were expected to be very poor.