Western Canada winter storms cause $134 million in insured damage

Two January winter storms in Western Canada caused over $134 million in insured damage, based on surveys from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc.

The January 12–14 winter storm brought intense winds across British Columbia,

Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In Alberta, most damage was around Taber, Lethbridge and Calgary.

Wind gusts across the Prairies exceeded 100 km/h and caused extensive damage.

Damage was close to $30 million in Alberta and close to $70 million in Saskatchewan.

The January 19–20 snowsqualls in Alberta recorded a wind gust of 193 km/h west of Calgary.

For comparison, sustained 193 km/h winds would be the equivalent of an EF-2 tornado.

While the winds that swept over the central part of Alberta weren't quite that strong, the region still saw prolonged intense wind gusts reaching a peak of 107 km/h.

The snowsqualls caused extensive damage, including downed trees and power lines and collapsed roofs, and shingles, vents and siding were torn off numerous homes and some businesses.

The total damage of the snowsqualls is estimated at close to $32 million.

Standard home and business insurance policies cover wind damage, and auto policies will cover wind damage if the owner purchased comprehensive coverage.

"Once again severe storms have caused havoc in Western Canada," said Aaron Sutherland, Acting VicePresident, Western and Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada. "These events are examples of the increasing impact of extreme weather and the need to increase investment in measures to adapt and better protect Canadians from coast to coast."

Alberta in particular has experienced more severe weather events this decade than any other region in Canada.

Taxpayers and insurers share the cost for severe weather damage.

For every dollar paid in insurance claims for damaged homes and businesses, all levels of government and taxpayers pay out much more to repair public infrastructure that severe weather has damaged.