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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.