How much February snowstorm, flooding, cost insurers

A severe February snowstorm in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, tailed by rapid snow melt, caused more than $260 million in insured damage, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ). 

Between Feb. 15 and 19, $90 million of insured damages occurred when a severe winter storm tracked from southern Ontario to Newfoundland, resulting in heavy snowfall, strong wind gusts, ice, and rain. 

The snowstorm had followed another one from a few days prior, which lead to “heavy accumulation with little time to mitigate the impacts of the storms,” Insurance Bureau of Canada says in a press release. “As a result, there were many reports of structure collapses in Ontario and Quebec, along with other structural damage and power outages.” 

Toronto received between 16 to 23 cm of snow on Feb. 15 and 16, atop the 15 to 20 cm that accumulated on Feb. 12, and 15.4 cm of snow between Feb. 8 and 9. That’s close to 60 cm of snow in just over a week. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) reported that Ottawa received closer to 37.4 cm of snow on Feb. 16. The greater Montreal area received about 30 cm of snow in less than 12 hours that same day. 

Many southern Ontario municipalities, including Toronto, declared significant weather events; more than 600 collisions were reported on Ontario’s roads. 

Strong winds also caused power outages in Atlantic Canada, with approximately 6,000 customers without power on Feb. 17, concentrated mostly in Nova Scotia. 

“While parts of Quebec and Atlantic Canada were impacted by these events, the vast majority of damage took place in Ontario, with heavy snowfall, strong wind gusts, ice and rain causing significant structural damage,” IBC reports. 

Adjusters warned Canadian Underwriter at the time the largest claims potential would come once the February snowfall began to melt.  

Those forecasts rang true when temperatures began to climb between Feb. 24 and 26, causing the snowpack in Ontario and Quebec to quickly thaw. 

“With the ground still frozen from the harsh winter, it was unable to absorb this melt, leading to flooding in low-lying areas, including many basements. Ice damming and water infiltration/basement leakage were the leading causes for claims,” IBC reports.  

Reports of damage also include collapsed roofs due to snow load. Notably, a parking garage in Ottawa partially collapsed, trapping nearly 50 vehicles but injuring no one.  

Damages from the snow melt totalled more than $160 million. 

Alyssa DiSabatino

Alyssa Di Sabatino has been a reporter for Canadian Underwriter since 2021, covering industry trends, market developments, and emerging risks.