(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

$134-million in damages caused by January storms in prairies

Feb 19, 2021 | 1:05 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Mother Nature was not kind to Southern Albertans at the beginning of 2021.

From January 12-14, an intense winter storm greatly impacted the areas of Lethbridge, Taber, and Calgary through extreme wind gusts.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) estimates that damages in Alberta were close to $30-million.

The following week, meteorologists recorded maximum wind gusts of 193 km/hr in Calgary during snow squalls.

“For comparison, sustained 193 km/h winds would be the equivalent of an EF-2 tornado,” says IBC.

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“The snowsqualls caused extensive damage, including downed trees and power lines and collapsed roofs, and shingles, vents, and siding were torn off numerous homes and some businesses.”

In Lethbridge, power was knocked out for more than 2,000 customers on January 19.

This weather event caused another $32-million in damages throughout the province.

Between the two weather events and between Alberta and Saskatchewan, total damages are estimated at approximately $134-million.

According to IBC, Alberta has experienced more severe weather events this decade than any other region in Canada. Taxpayers and insurers alike share the cost of repairing the damages.

“For every dollar paid in insurance claims for damaged homes and businesses, all levels of government and taxpayers pay out much more to repair public infrastructure that severe weather has damaged. Yet Canada still lacks a national climate adaptation strategy with measurable targets and the accompanying investments needed to protect Canadian homes and businesses from natural disasters.”

IBC is continuing to advocate to the various levels of government to have more comprehensive plans in place to address severe weather.

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