Large Hail Storm Crossed Saskatchewan

SASKATOON - Jul 21/05 - SNS -- A major hail storm caused significant damage on July 16, cutting a path from the Alberta border in the Richmound area of southwestern Saskatchewan all the way to Wilcox, south of Regina.

"Claims are still flowing in from that storm," notes Murray Otterson, who is with one of the member companies of the Canadian Crop Hail Association. "Even though we don't have the full tally, that storm is most likely the largest to date."

There was also a storm path from Assiniboia to Weyburn on July 16.

Other storms caused significant damage as well. On July 13, the Unity area was hit. On July 11, the Porcupine Plain area of northeastern Saskatchewan was affected. On July 10, there was a storm that affected a strip from Whitewood to the Manitoba border. There were also some smaller, more isolated storms.

"At this point, hail claims are running ahead of the ten year average, but not at a record pace," says Otterson. "However, there's still lots of hail season ahead and anything could happen."

Hail insurance companies are now employing a full complement of adjusters. At this point, adjusters should be able to assess claims within about two weeks of the claim being filed.

The sales season for hail insurance has mostly passed, although some producers are topping up their insurance on crops that have a strong yield potential. Many companies have closed off insurance sales in some townships as they have hit their liability maximums.