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Hail claims across the Prairies rise

July 22, 2013 - Canadian Crop Hail Association represents the companies that sell crop hail insurance to producers in Western Canada. The most recent hail report for Western Canada:

Hail claims continue to mount in Alberta
Alberta is experiencing above average numbers of hail claims for this time of year, with hail reported nearly every day in July since the 4th of the month. Southern Alberta has been the area hardest hit to date, with storms on July 5, 6, and 17 impacting large acres of high value irrigated special crops in the Lethbridge, Coaldale and Taber areas.
Other severe storms this month included a July 10 system affecting the Leduc and Camrose areas and a July 11 storm that stretched from Lacombe in the west to Provost in the east. Driving winds and punishing hail caused complete crop loss in some of the areas affected, with many reports of significant damage to buildings and vehicles.
To date, more than 1,000 claims have been reported in Alberta, with many more anticipated from recent storms.
In addition to the dates already referenced, major storm dates and areas include:
July 4: Bassano, Claresholm, Hussar, Standard, Stavely, Swalwell, Three Hills
July 5: Cardston, Cayley, Coaldale, Medicine Hat, Neerlandia, Purple,Taber
July 6: Drumheller, Hussar, Kathryn, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Nanton, Rosebud
July 11: Alix, Coronation, Halkirk, Provost, Red Deer, Lacombe, Rockyford

Saskatchewan storm activity results in increasing hail claims
As in Alberta, storm activity in Saskatchewan saw a marked increase over the past two weeks. Hail claims continue to be slightly below the five-year average, but hail was reported on several different days over the two-week period July 4 – 18.
The most significant storm to date occurred on July 13, with powerful winds, rain and hail that affected a large area throughout the southeast of the province and stretched into Manitoba. News reports from that storm spoke of baseball-sized hail that completely devastated crops and caused significant damage to buildings and vehicles. More than 100 hail claims have already been filed, with more anticipated.
Major storm dates and locations for this reporting period include:
July 4: Shaunavon, Swift Current July 5: Elrose, Fox Valley, Golden Prairie, Outlook, Saskatoon
July 6: Swift Current, Biggar, Kamsack, Yorkton, Stornaway, Melville, Saltcoats, Antler, Bellegarde, Bredenbury, Togo, Churchbridge
July 7: Bracken, Cadillac, Frontier, Ponteix, Climax, Swift Current,Hazenmore,Vanguard
July 11: Macklin, Denzil, Reward, Scott, Unity, Major
July 13: Ceylon, Minton, Weyburn, Midale, Benson, Stoughton, Oungre, Torquay, Estevan, Alameda, Oxbow, Macoun, Lampman, Carlyle, Redvers, Manor, Alida, Carlyle, Antler
July 15: Southey, Cupar, Dysart, Lipton, Ituna, Rouleau, Rowatt, Kronau, Lajord, Odessa

Manitoba continues to track within five-year average for hail claims
With some scattered storm activity reported throughout the province over the past two weeks, the most significant damage reported to date was the result of a July 13 storm that had severe impact in southeast Saskatchewan before moving into southwest Manitoba. The early evening storm swept through an area including Reston, Pipestone and up to Hartney. Severe wind and hail in the affected area resulted in total crop loss for some producers. The storm path was an estimated four to five miles wide, and some areas reported as much as four inches of rain from a torrential downpour. Many claims have already been filed from that storm, with more expected as producers continue to assess damage.
Major storm dates and locations for this reporting period include:
July 6: Birtle, Foxwarren, Gilbert Plains, Oakburn, Rossburn, Grandview
July 8: Morris
July 13: Deleau, Hartney, Deloraine, Winkler, Souris, Virden, Reston, Swan Lake, Darlingford

July 22, 2013  By Canadian Crop Hail Association


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