Southern Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of southern Alberta are once again in recovery mode after another powerful storm struck the region over the weekend, bringing heavy rain and hailstones as large as tennis balls that caused widespread damage.
On Sunday night, around 8 p.m., the Cardston area, roughly 90 minutes southeast of Calgary, was hit hard. The storm lasted about 20 minutes but left a lasting impact, shattered windows, dented vehicles, snapped trees, and destroyed crops.
Severe Vehicle Damage
Trevor Jones, manager of operations at Carstar Auto Repair, described the damage as overwhelming.
“By 10 a.m. Monday, one insurer had already logged 50 claims in just two hours. We fully expect those numbers to grow exponentially,” Jones said. “A large portion of the town, as well as surrounding rural areas, has been hit.”
Many vehicles are so badly damaged that they are undrivable until repairs are completed.
Farmers Hit Hard
The storm also left devastating losses for local farmers. Kyle Nish, a farmer in the region, said he lost nearly 3,000 acres of crops.
“The other day, I walked out to the middle of my field, it was a beautiful crop, and I was excited for harvest. In 15 minutes, it was gone,” Nish said. He also reported damage to tractors and other farm equipment.
“I know this was definitely golf ball-sized hail and bigger,” he added.
Calgary and Regional Impact
While Calgary was spared the hail damage, heavy rain pounded the city, complicating Monday morning’s commute.
Environment Canada reported that 139.6 mm of rain has fallen in Calgary so far this July, with some volunteer weather stations in Bowness recording up to 184 mm. For perspective, the record for July rainfall in the city is 245.4 mm, set in 1927.
More Storms Possible
By Monday afternoon, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for much of southern Alberta, stretching from Calgary to the Montana border and east to Medicine Hat. Meteorologists warned of hail up to 5 cm in diameter and wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h.
Relief on the Horizon
There is, however, some good news for storm-weary residents. A warm front is expected to move into the province starting late Monday. By Wednesday, Calgary is forecast to reach 27°C, while Lethbridge and Medicine Hat could see highs around 30°C.
