WINNIPEG — Severe weather in June produced widespread damage across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, resulting in more than $728 million in insured losses, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reported on Thursday.
Scale of the loss and insurance impact
The IBC said the total reflects damage from multiple hazards during the storms, including hail, tornadoes, high winds and torrential rain that prompted flash flooding in several communities. Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) reported an unprecedented volume of claims tied to a single weather event, with more than 30,000 files opened — exceeding the previous provincial record of 24,000 claims from a 1996 hailstorm.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Insured damage (IBC estimate) | $728,000,000+ |
| MPI claims opened (single event) | 30,000+ |
| Previous MPI single-event record | 24,000 (1996) |
Local effects and recent flooding
The storms came in multiple waves. One system produced violent winds and hail, while another late-June system dropped heavy rain across the Parkland region, triggering widespread flooding. In Swan River and other towns, streets and properties were inundated. Around Brandon, rapid runoff has caused the Assiniboine River to rise sharply in recent days; municipal officials said the city’s dike network is holding and that water levels have begun to subside.
The scale of claims and insured losses underscores the strain on both public infrastructure and private property owners. MPI’s claim volume for a single event now stands as the highest in provincial history, signalling a significant administrative and financial load for insurers and policyholders.
What residents should know
- Homeowners and drivers affected by storm damage should contact their insurer or MPI as soon as possible to start claims processes.
- Residents in flood-prone areas should monitor municipal alerts and river-level updates from local authorities.
- Documentation of damage — photos, videos and lists of lost or damaged items — will help with claims and disaster recovery.
IBC’s figure is an estimate of insured losses and does not capture uninsured costs such as some infrastructure repairs, emergency response expenses or losses borne directly by households without coverage. The Canadian Press first reported the IBC estimate on July 16, 2026.
The full scope of recovery and repair work will unfold in the coming weeks as insurers process claims and municipalities assess infrastructure needs.
