Storms that hit Western Canada this summer are expected to result in over $300 million in insured damage, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification (CatIQ). In addition, new estimates from CatIQ indicate that last year\u2019s July 2 hailstorm and flooding in Calgary resulted in over $600 million in insured damage, more than double the initial estimate. That makes it one of the top-10 costliest weather events in Canadian history.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The following storms have been designated as catastrophes by CatIQ. By the organization\u2019s definitions, a catastrophe is a weather event with insured damage estimates totalling more than $30 million.<\/p>\n Strong thunderstorms developed over Alberta and Saskatchewan with hot and humid conditions facilitating the creation of large supercell-type storm cells. At least one damaging tornado was confirmed near Bergen, Alta., and large hail damaged vehicles and homes in Ponoka and Oyen. Additional tornadoes occurred in Saskatchewan, along with local flash flooding.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A series of severe thunderstorms tracked across the Prairies, bringing heavy rain, very large hail and damaging winds. At least one tornado was confirmed, along with a damaging downburst in Alberta. Large hail damaged homes and shattered windows in Ponoka, Alta., while several tornadoes were confirmed in Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n A system tracking across much of Western and Central Canada left a trail of damaging severe weather in its wake. Tornadoes were confirmed in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and large hail, heavy rain and flooding occurred at points in between. Reports of damage to homes, other structures, trees and power lines stretched from Southern Alberta to Quebec\u2019s Gasp\u00e9 Peninsula.<\/p>\n A disturbance tracking from the Canadian Rockies across the central Prairies sparked a cluster of severe thunderstorms over the course of several days. At least two tornadoes were reported, along with large hail and flooding.<\/p>\n Severe thunderstorms in Central Alberta damaged windows with very large hailstones. Several storm cells also produced wind gusts at speeds above 100 km\/h, as well as heavy rain and flooding. The storm drifted as far east as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, over the course of two days. Dozens of cars were severely damaged along Highway 2 in Alberta, along with properties from Central Alberta to Central Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n Insurance claims from severe weather have more than quadrupled across Canada since 2008. The new normal for insured catastrophic losses in Canada has reached $2 billion annually. In the past 10 years, five of the costliest severe weather events occurred in Western Canada totalling more than $8 billion in insured damages. Alberta, in particular, has experienced more severe weather events this decade than any other region in Canada.<\/p>\n \u201cThe July and August storms are a sobering reminder of the increasing risks facing communities across Canada,\u201d said Craig Stewart, vice-president, Climate Change and Federal Issues with Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). \u201cWhile the longer-term impacts of the climate crisis must be addressed, considering the increasing number of near-daily extreme weather events already occurring across Canada, we cannot wait to limit the impacts of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n IBC continues to advocate to governments at all levels on the urgent need to do more to prioritize investments that build resilience and better protect families and communities from a changing climate.<\/p>\n www.ibc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"July 7 to 8, 2022 \u2013 Over $30 million in insured damages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
July 15 to 17, 2022 \u2013 Over $70 million in insured damages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
July 18 to 21, 2022 \u2013 Over $100 million in insured damages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
July 29 to 31, 2022 \u2013 Over $40 million in insured damages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
August 1 to 2, 2022 \u2013 Over $55 million in insured damages:<\/strong><\/h4>\n