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June windstorm results in $30 million in insured damage

Jul 17, 2017 | 3:08 PM

RED DEER, AB — The wicked windstorm that blew through Red Deer and central Alberta on June 20 caused more than $30 million in insured damage, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

IBC says the estimate was calculated by the Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ), which delivers detailed analytical and meteorological information on Canadian natural and man-made catastrophes.

Strong winds were the primary cause of property damage, toppling trees onto buildings and cars. Thousands of properties in Red Deer were left without power, some for as long as three days. The strong winds also tore off roof shingles and vinyl siding, caused flying debris and blew over a tractor-trailer on the QE II Highway. 

“Severe storms have been happening more often and with greater intensity across Alberta,” said Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western, IBC. “It is important that Canadians understand their insurance policies and what’s covered. It’s also essential to have an emergency preparedness plan and know what to do when bad weather strikes.”

The storm was the result of a low-pressure system and produced hail and winds of over 100 km/h in parts of central Alberta including Red Deer, Innisfail and Pine Lake.

 Environment Canada described the Red Deer storm as a “plow wind” — strong, flat winds moving in a line after a number of similar storms have collected alongside each other.