EDMONTON – Severe weather and insurance claims go hand in hand in Canada, and Alberta saw its share of catastrophic weather events this year.
A single storm is categorized as a “catastrophe” when it causes over $25 million in insurance claims. Across Canada, there were six such events in 2015, three of which occurred right here in Alberta.
Rikki McBride, of the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta, told Global News that generally speaking, insurance claims due to severe weather is on the rise.
“Part of that is due to climate change, and part of that is due to more extreme weather events and more severe weather events.”
Alberta’s three catastrophic storms this year saw quite similar types of damage, McBride explained.
“They all had an element of hail, they all had an element of wind, and they all had an element of water,” McBride said, adding each storm’s costs varied widely.
From the least expensive to the most, here is a breakdown of the top three most expensive storms in Alberta this year:
3) Strong wind and hail pummels Medicine Hat
On June 11 and 12, severe weather ripped through Medicine Hat and its surrounding communities. Strong wind and lightning downed trees taking out power lines, structures and vehicles.
Heavy downpours of rain also contributed to water damage in the region. In all, $37.5 million in insurable losses occurred.
READ MORE: Severe thunderstorms roll through Alberta
2) Wave after wave of severe storms overwhelm Calgary
Aug. 4 and 5 saw the second-most costly storm to hit Alberta in 2015 when a remarkably potent storm system hit twice in two days.
Heavy rain flooded underpasses, large hail pounded car windows and strong winds crushed structures. There was so much hail that the ground looked like it was covered in snow as overland flooding rushed through the streets.
That storm system resulted in $130.1 million in losses within Calgary and the surrounding areas.
READ MORE: Flash flooding closes roadways as Calgary pummelled by hail storm
1) Severe weather included a confirmed tornado touchdown
The most expensive storm of 2015 in Alberta is also likely the most memorable for many. On July 22, an ominous looking funnel cloud formed over Calgary, as the city sat under a rare tornado warning.
But it was the associated damage across a vast geographical area that made the weather event so costly. Claims came in from Calgary, Beiseker, Water Valley, Cochrane, Hussar, Pollackville and Cereal from flooding, hail and wind damage.
Areas near Priddis also had damage from a confirmed tornado touchdown. In all, $307 million in claims were made – more than the other two catastrophic storms combined.
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