Calgary hailstorm declared worst in Canadian history and the country’s fourth costliest natural disaster
The destructive hailstorm that hit Calgary on June 13, 2020, has officially been declared the fourth costliest natural disaster in the history of Canada, with insured damages hitting almost 1.2 billion dollars.
Last month, a massive weather system moved through Alberta, bringing severe thunderstorms to much of the province. Calgary was particularly affected by flooding, tornado, and hail around 54 to 61 mm (2.1 to 2.4 inches) in diameter.
The storm smashed windows of numerous houses and vehicles, with locals calling the place a disaster.
According to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ), this is the costliest hailstorm in Canadian history.
In terms of all natural disasters, it is exceeded only by the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire that left 4 billion dollars of damage, the 1998 ice storm in Eastern Canada with 2.3 billion dollars' worth of damage, and the 2013 Alberta flooding with 1.7 billion dollars.
Most of the insured damage from the June hailstorm involved personal properties, with a smaller portion of damage to commercial properties. The destruction caused by hail and wind is usually covered by insurance.
Aside from the 1.2 billion dollars, the Alberta government announced financial aid for residents who faced overland flooding in the aftermath of the storm, as this type of insurance is not typically available in areas vulnerable to flood.
Featured image credit: Calgary Herald/YouTube
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.