Ont. storm damage estimated at $80 million
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Ont. storm damage estimated at $80 million*
Aug. 12 2006 7:33 PM ET
Canadian Press
TORONTO -- Hydro One and the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimate that
the two big storms that raged through Ontario this summer cost about $80
million.
Hydro One spokesman Al Manchee says the power utility estimates
replacing power lines downed by the July 17 and Aug. 2 storms cost an
estimated $40 million.
The storms left hundreds of thousands of Ontario residents, particularly
those in cottage country, without power for extended periods as six or
more tornadoes took down trees and toppled power lines.
Mark Yakabuski, of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, says preliminary
estimates tally the damage at about $40 million for insurance claims.
Most of the damage was caused by high winds, or when trees fell on
cottages or boats.
Hydro One says the damage rates near the top of the list of bad storms
for the utility.
Still, Yakabuski says last year's summer storm -- that caused major
flooding across southern Ontario -- caused more damage, with estimates
at about $500 million for insurance claims.