More than 1 million acres damaged by hail

More than 1 million acres were damaged or destroyed by hail and strong winds during multiple storms that hit the week of August 19-25, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA).

“This was the biggest week for claims in August in the last decade,” said Rodney Schoettler, Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 2,800 claims of crop damage from these storms that hit farms across Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Companies contributing to this report are Palliser Insurance, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Saskatchewan Municipal Hail Insurance, and Co-operative Hail Insurance Company.

CCHA members are asking clients to be patient as companies process claims and send adjusters out to survey the damage.

“This was one of our busiest weeks, with multiple storms producing hail of all sizes, accompanied by big winds,” said Scott McQueen, Palliser Insurance.

Here’s a look at storm damage across the region.

Alberta

Crops damaged: Alfalfa, barley, dry beans, canola, chickpeas, corn, faba beans, lentils, mustard, oats, peas, Timothy, triticale, wheat

Communities impacted include: Milk River, Grassy Lake, Nanton, Champion, Armada, Rockyford, Rosebud, Hussar, Dorothy, Three Hills, Morrin, Craigmyle, Coronation, Hughenden, Wetaskiwin, Rosalind, Viking, Innisfree, Derwent, Heinsburg, Leduc, Neerlandia, Fort Assiniboine

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: All crops

Communities impacted include: McTaggart, Milestone, Lang, Yellow Grass, Colfax, Lewan, Saskatoon, Blaine Lake, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, Davidson, Wadena, Yorkton, Melville, Moose Jaw, Regina, Estevan, Assiniboia, Shaunavon, Swift Current, Yorkton, Weyburn, Bechard, Riceton

 Manitoba

Crops damaged: Wheat, canola, corn, soybeans, peas, corn, canola

Communities impacted include: Virden, Elkhorn, Russell, Roblin, Solsgirth, Birtle, Two Creeks, Hargrave, Maples, Harmsworth

For more information and past reports: cropinsuranceincanada.org.