According to Verisk Analytics Inc.’s Property Claims Services unit (PCS), a thunderstorm system that struck Western Canada between July 18 and 20 caused an estimated $89.06 million in insured property damage.
PCS said that the $89.06 million estimate “represents anticipated insured loss on an industry wide basis.” The figure is a measurement of “total insured payment for personal and commercial property lines of insurance covering fixed property, personal property, time element losses, vehicles, boats and related property items.”
“In Alberta, thunderstorms brought strong winds, heavy rain and hail primarily in the southern regions,” the PCS said in a bulletin. “Residents of Medicine Hat and Dunmore received hail up to golf ball size during the storms which caused damage to residences, commercial buildings and vehicles.”
The PCS noted that the storms “produced a swath of large hail, intense rain and damaging straight line winds.”
The bulletin reported of a tornado that developed west of Davidson, Saskatoon. PCS further added that “hail the size of golf balls and baseballs were reported near Outlook and Saskatoon.”
An EF1 tornado appeared in Manitoba, affecting Long Plain First Nation and the surrounding areas. The PCS reported that 47 homes were considered “seriously damaged.” Hail also struck Brandon, with the hailstones measuring 4.5 cm on average.
The thunderstorms have also caused vehicular damage, as well. The report found that cars affected by the weather suffered broken windshields, cracked mirrors, body damage, and—in some cases where flooding occurred—water damage.
Nearly 48,000 were without power at the height of the storm, the report observed. Of the almost 48,000, 16,000 were from Winnipeg alone.
Canadian Underwriter reported that the PCS designated the weather event as Catastrophe No. 58. The unit is set to re-survey the event in 60 days.
Related stories:
Southern Ontario storm causes over $30 million in insured damages
Yukon government botched 2013 flood relief program, documents show
