Severe storms across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec in June caused at least $1.25 billion in insured damage, with the June 9-10 storms alone accounting for $850 million in losses. The storms generated the third-highest number of claims in Canada's catastrophe database, overwhelming collision repair shops with unprecedented demand.
- $1.25 billion in total insured damage from June storms across three provinces
- 29,000 claims received by Manitoba Public Insurance from the June 9 storm alone, breaking the previous record of 24,000
- Storms brought tornadoes, damaging winds, flash flooding, and hail up to 10 centimetres in size
- The June 9-10 event generated the third-highest number of claims in Canada's catastrophe database
- Insurance Bureau of Canada called for tighter development limits on flood plains and upgrades to stormwater infrastructure
Severe storms in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec have caused at least $1.25 billion in insured damage, according to updated estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification.
CatIQ has raised its estimate for the June 9 and 10 storms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to $850 million, up from an initial estimate of $728 million.
The organization said most of the increase came from vehicle claims. The estimate also includes residential and commercial property losses.
The storms brought tornadoes, damaging winds, flash flooding, record rainfall and hail measuring as much as 10 centimetres across parts of both provinces. CatIQ said the event has generated the third-highest number of claims in its catastrophe database.
The effect on Manitoba’s collision repair sector was immediate. Manitoba Public Insurance had received nearly 29,000 claims from the June 9 storm by June 30, breaking the previous single-event record of 24,000 set after a 1996 hailstorm.
“I was at the shop by 6:00 a.m. to get ahead of the day — and there were already six customers waiting in their vehicles,” Chris Kostynyk of Gateway Autobody shortly after the severe weather began. “By 8:00 a.m., our phones were flooded with over 100 recorded call-ins.”
MPI temporarily stopped scheduling regular hail estimates and opened 2 dedicated response centres in Winnipeg. The public insurer later expanded estimating options through accredited collision repair and paintless dent repair facilities.
“We never expected that much hail to happen,” said Shamsher Singh, owner of Town Auto Body told Collision Repair in the days following the storm. “Usually we get a little bit of hail, but this hail was big. It’s going to keep us busy for another six months or so.”
MPI reported more than 34,000 severe-weather claims across Manitoba by July 22. That broader figure includes claims from storms after June 9, including severe weather in the Westman region, and should not be treated as the final total for the June 9 event alone.
In Saskatchewan, SGI reported more than 10,000 claims following the June 9 Regina hailstorm.
Separate thunderstorms on June 20 and 21 flooded hundreds of properties in Montreal’s West Island and communities south of the city. CatIQ’s initial estimate placed insured damage from that event at $409 million. A second estimate is scheduled for Aug. 5.
“Though the severe weather outbreak saw large population centres directly impacted by storms, driving a very large number of claims,” said CatIQ president and CEO Laura Twidle. “These numbers are tied to people who have some of their largest investments and assets impacted.”
The Insurance Bureau of Canada has called for tighter limits on development in high-risk flood plains, upgrades to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, stronger building codes and expanded home retrofit programs.
“Flood risk is no longer a future challenge — it is a current reality affecting Canadians from coast to coast,” said Liam McGuinty, vice-president of federal affairs for IBC.
