Tennis ball size hail reported in western Canada

Storms produced tennis ball size hail in some parts of western Canada along with heavy rain and high wind that damaged crops across the prairie, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred Aug. 7-15.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 800 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Beth Shewkenek, of AG Direct Hail Insurance said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Choiceland and Redvers. In Alberta, she said storms damaged crops in Camrose, Drumheller, and Olds.

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail said storms damaged crops in the Saskatchewan communities of Bengough, Ogema, Pangman, Rouleau, Oungre, Regina, Pense, Craik, Earl Grey, Southey, Kelvington, Lintlaw, Okla, Kisbey, Arcola, Redvers and Alida.

“The system moved up in a northeasterly path and produced hail in those areas with small stones to as large as tennis balls near Lintlaw,” he said.

He said wind and rain are factors in adjusting for crop damage. Harvest is underway in the south of the province for peas, lentils and barley.

Brendan Blight, of Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Manitoba communities of Virden, Alexander, Lowe Farm and Morris.

“The storm came from Saskatchewan and headed east and met another storm coming north from South Dakota,” he said.

Pea size hail resulted in minor to moderate damage. More than 2 inches of rain in some areas along with high wind are factors in adjusting for crop damage. Claims are still coming in, he said.

Murray Bantle, of Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, said storms damaged cereals, pulses and oilseeds in the Manitoba communities of Virden, Solsgirth, Deloraine, Lyleton, Waskada, Alexandra, Melita, Minto, Wawanesa and Roland.

The damage ranged from light to heavy and there was tornadic activity during the localized thunderstorms, he said.

In Saskatchewan, he said storms damaged oilseeds, cereals and pulses in Estevan, Stoughton, Weyburn, Fort QuAppelle, Outlook, Unity, Avonlea, Carrot River, Chamberlain, Earl Grey, Francis, Kelvington, Lintlaw, Monmarte, Regina, Rocanville, Southey, Yorkton, Alida, Antler, Redvers, Craik and Osage.

“The storm path was from the U.S. border primarily on the east side of the province,” he said. “Pulse crops, such as peas, sustained heavy damage due to advance ripening.”

He said heavy rain is a factor in adjusting for damage.

“We continue to complete our July storms,” he said. “We are currently 84 percent complete.  The average per claim is currently on par with the 5-year average. Early hailed crops have been expensive due to severity of hail and little recovery.”

Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Torrington, Wetaskiwin, New Norway, Canrose, Three Hills, Olds, Viking and Trochu.

In Manitoba, he said storms damaged crops in Reston, Sinclair, Brandon, Wawanesa, Swan River, Waskada and Labroquerie. In Saskatchewan, he said storms damaged crops in Holdfast, Grand Coulee, Wadena, Nipawin, Alida, Sedley, Rouleau and Sedley.

Cassandra Holt, of Canadian Hail Agencies, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Rimbey, Wetaskiwin, Falun, Viking, Panoka, Daysland, Millet, Camrose, Three Hills, Carbon, Morrin, Calgary, and Innisfree.

In Saskatchewan, she said storms damaged crops in Tribune, Kelvington, Earl Grey, Saskatoon, Carlyle, Nipawin, Crane Valley, Weyburn, Dilke, Antler, Redvers, Forget, and Lintlaw. In Manitoba, storms damaged crops in Reston, Pipestone, Nesbitt, Hamiota, and Roland.

Jackie Sanden, of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, said storms damaged crops in the Alberta communities of Carseland, Cluny, Olds, Bowden, Trochu, Innisfail, Bawlf, New Norway, Falun, Wetaskiwin, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Linden, Swalwell, Three Hills, Morrin, Torrington.

Tyson Ryhorchuk, of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, said storms damaged canola, lentils, peas, wheat, durum, corn and flax in the Saskatchewan communities of Alameda, Frobisher, Sheho, Shaunavon, Ponteix and Creelman.

In Alberta, storms damaged crops in Viking, Irma, Trochu and Etzikom. In Manitoba, storms damaged crops in Melita and Killarney, he said.

“Harvest is well underway in many areas throughout the prairies,” he said. “Please be sure to leave adequate strips in fields that you are harvesting if you have a claim.”