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
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.