$1.8B in damages caused by Prairie storms this summer

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Over the last decade, insured losses from extreme weather have averaged $3.7 billion per year, up from $1.4 billion the decade prior.

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In 2026, the national total hit that average almost bang-on, making it the third worst storm season on record.

The costliest year was 2024 when the damage hit $8.8 billion; that was the year of the Jasper wildfire, southern B.C. storms, remnants of Hurricane Debby in Quebec, and a $3 billion hailstorm in Calgary, among others.

In 2023, damages reached $3.9 billion.

ACROSS THE PRAIRIES

1. May 14, 2026: Over $40 million in insured losses across Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Wind)

Strong wind gusts created a dust storm across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba with wind causing extensive damage to homes and businesses.

2. May 31–June 2, 2026: Over $80 million in insured losses in the Edmonton area (Flood)

A prolonged rainfall event over central Alberta resulted in significant flooding in the region. Edmonton was hardest hit, receiving more than a month’s worth of rainfall in just a few days that flooded basements, roads and public spaces. 

3. June 9 & 10: Over $900 million in insured losses in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Flood, Hail, Wind)

These storms brought tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, torrential rain and flash flooding to communities across both provinces, affecting tens of thousands of residents and businesses.

4. June 20–21, 2026: Over $160 million in insured losses in central Alberta (Flood)

Prolonged rainfall caused extensive flooding in Edmonton and the surrounding area. Sewer systems overwhelmed, causing basement flooding and flooded streets.

5. June 26–30, 2026: Over $160 million in insured losses in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Flood)

A slow-moving storm moved across the Prairies caused extensive flooding with Canmore and Kananaskis County, Alberta declaring local states of emergency.

6. July 4–6, 2026: Over $270 million in insured losses in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario (Flood, Hail, Wind)

Strong thunderstorms affected a wide region from Alberta to Ontario. Hailstones the size of billiard balls were reported in some areas, as well as 100 millimetres of rain and strong wind gusts.  

7. July 10–11, 2026: Over $140 million in insured losses in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Flood, Hail, Wind)

Edmonton again took the brunt of a two-day severe weather outbreak that produced rain, hail and ten tornadoes across Alberta and Saskatchewan.

8. July 18, 2026: Over $40 million in insured losses in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Flood, Wind) — 94.5 Rewind Radio report

Strong storms developed along the central foothills of Alberta, with two EF2-rated tornadoes – one to the south of Rocky Mountain House and one to the east toward Leslieville. The same storm brought additional rains to Edmonton, sparking another round of flooding in the city.

9. August 11, 2026: Nearly $70 million in insured losses in Alberta (Flood, Hail)

Severe thunderstorms produced significant amounts of rainfall and very large hailstones over southern Alberta, affecting the communities of Claresholm, Lethbridge, Didsbury and Coaldale.

10. August 23, 2026: Nearly $40 million in insured losses in Alberta (Hail) — rdnewsNOW report

Large hailstones hit communities in central Alberta. Springbrook, south of Red Deer, was particularly hard-hit, where the hail shredded siding, smashed windows and dented vehicles.

Hail from a storm that passed through the Red Deer area in August 2026. (Image Credit: rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Another round of June storms in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Montreal cost $1.1 billion.

Early summer storms in Ontario hit folks for $439 million, then flooding in the Niagara region this July and August caused another $360 million in damages.

B.C. wildfires this year are estimated at $550 million.

Meanwhile, the bureau is calling on all orders of government to take immediate steps to reduce Canada’s exposure to extreme weather events.

That includes:

• Building new homes away from high-risk flood and wildfire zones by strengthening land use planning and restricting development in areas at highest risk
• Providing incentives for homeowners to invest in practical, affordable measures that reduce extreme weather damage and recovery costs
• Requiring cost-effective, community-level mitigation measures, such as flood protection infrastructure and measures recommended by the FireSmart program to help reduce the risk of wildfire damage, when building in high-risk areas is unavoidable
• Investing in resilient infrastructure to protect communities from extreme weather risks, such as flooding
• Strengthening building codes and construction standards to ensure new homes are built with resilient features that reflect current and future climate conditions
• Empowering homeowners, renters and business owners by providing clear, accessible information so they can make informed decisions and take practical steps to mitigate their risks.