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 storm brought intense winds across British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan bore the brunt of the damage, seeing the most prolonged period of extreme wind gusts. Property owners across southern Saskatchewan reported extensive damage to farm structures, including barns and grain bins. Property damage to houses and other structures due to wandering grain bins was also reported. Wind gusts across the Prairies exceeded 100 km/h. 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. Sustained 193 km/h winds would be the equivalent of an EF-2 tornado. The snowsqualls caused extensive damage, 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.

Aaron Sutherland, Acting Vice-President, Western and Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada says, “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.”