Two Storms Cause Hail Damage

SASKATOON - Jul 13/06 - SNS -- Most of the hail damage seen so far in Saskatchewan was caused by two hail storms striking one week apart, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The June 30 storm hit west central and southwestern areas of the province. Significant hail claims have been generated around the communities of Richmound, Rush Lake, Stewart Valley, Lacadena, Sceptre, Glidden, Eatonia and Marengo. The greatest damage occurred around Eatonia.

Hail activity on July 7 resulted in claims scattered over a wide region of the province. Murray Otterson of the Canadian Crop Hail Association notes, "A substantial number of claims have been generated from areas surrounding Broadview, Outlook, Conquest, Langham, Kelfield, Asquith, Landis, Cudworth, Wakaw, Whitefox and Paddockwood."

Otterson says the greatest damage seems to be in the Wakaw and Cudworth areas.

In total, hail insurance companies have received fewer than 1500 crop claims so far this season. That's less than half the number of claims received by this time last year. In 2005, storm activity over the July long weekend resulted in more than 1500 claims.

No information is available on the dollar value of this year's claims. Damage ranges from light all the way to 100 per cent. Adjusters will be visiting affected fields in the weeks ahead.