Prairie thunderstorms, funnel clouds, hail cause $48M in insured damage

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says severe storms thatswept across the Prairies last month caused more than $48 million ininsured damage.

Intense thunderstormsproduced strongwinds, hail, lightning, heavy rain and funnel clouds in Alberta,Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

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Most property damage was reported in Saskatchewan, where up to 130millimetres of rain in a short period resulted insignificantflooding in Estevan.

The downpour overwhelmed the local stormwater network and causedstreets to flood and sewers to back up.

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Bill Adams, a vice-president with the insurance bureau, said severe storms are happening more often and with greater intensityacross the Prairies.

He advises people to understand their insurance policies and beprepared for an emergency.