Severe weather leads to $2 billion in annual damages: IBC
Posted Sep 10, 2020 12:05:53 PM.
Last Updated Sep 11, 2020 06:23:38 AM.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Once again, Alberta is leading the country in severe weather damages and insurance costs.
From furious flooding in Fort McMurray to huge hail hitting Calgary, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) said Alberta alone has exceeded the annual Canadian average for severe weather damage.
“This year, in Alberta alone, we’ve equalled about $2 billion in total damages,” said Rob de Pruis with the IBC. “We’ve exceeded the annual Canadian average in Alberta alone this year, which is very significant.”
According to the IBC, from 2009 to 2019, Canada-wide severe weather losses averaged about $1.9 billion annually.
WATCH: History making hailstorm
De Pruis added the Calgary hail storm in June caused $1.2 billion in damages, while the April storm that hit Fort McMurray contributed $522 million.
He explained where most of the insured damages came from.
“Home claims and around the same amount for automobile claims as well, so there was a fairly even split between the home and the auto claims.”
Other hailstorms that hit Calgary and central Alberta also led to a combined $193 million in damages.
“Weather has hit our province hard this year,” said Celyeste Power, Vice-President, Western, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “The insurance industry is working to process the nearly 100,000 claims from the four spring and summer weather events, to ensure Albertans get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
The provincial government and the City of Calgary have provided emergency funds for residents who were affected by the summer hailstorm, the costliest one in Canadian history.