May 21 storm ranked 6th most expensive natural disaster in Canadian history: IBC
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) says the derecho storm that blew across southern and eastern Ontario and parts of Quebec is the sixth largest “insured loss event” in Canadian history.
The powrful storm killed 10 people and crushed electrical grids, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power for days.
IBC said Wednesday that the storm did more than $720 million worth of damage in Ontario and $155 million in Quebec, for a total of $875 million, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc.
“This storm now ranks as the sixth largest in Canadian history in terms of insured losses – surpassing the Toronto flood of 2005. The derecho caused widespread damage to property, extensive power outages and sadly, loss of life,” IBC said.
The costliest disaster in Canadian history, according to IBC, was the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016, with $4 billion in insurance payouts. The 1998 ice storm ranks second, at $2.3 billion in 2021 dollars. The 2013 floods in southern Alberta, the 2020 Alberta hailstorm, and the 2013 flooding in Toronto were the third, fourth, and fifth most expensive events, respectively.
IBC notes that eight of the top 10 costliest disasters in history have happened since 2011. The bureau says it is “a sobering reminder of the increasing risk climate change poses” across Canada.
“IBC continues to advocate for a National Adaptation Strategy that will result in tangible short-term measures that improve Canada's climate defence,” IBC said. “Governments at all levels must act with urgency to prioritize investments that reduce the impact of these severe weather events on families and communities.”
While power has largely been restored to affected areas, the city of Ottawa is still cleaning up storm damage. City staff say it could take months to complete all the work. Hydro Ottawa estimated its costs alone could reach up to $30 million. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he's received assurances from Ontario Premier Doug Ford that the province would cover the city's storm-related expenses.
Top 10 natural disasters in Canada for insurance payouts (2021 $CDN)
1. Fort McMurray wildfires (2016): $4 billion
2. Eastern ice storm (1998): $2.3 billion
3. Southern Alberta floods (2013): $1.8 billion
4. Alberta hailstorm (2020): $1.2 billion
5. Toronto flood (2013): $1 billion
6. Ontario-Quebec derecho: $875 million
7. Toronto flood (2005): $780 million
8. Ontario windstorm (2018): $695 million
9. British Columbia flood (2021): $675 million
10. Slave Lake fire (2011): $600 million
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.