Six Months Later: The Lasting Impact of Calgary’s Historic Hailstorm

Six months after Calgary’s record-breaking hailstorm, the effects are still being felt across the city. With $2.8 billion in insured losses and over 130,000 insurance claims filed, this event continues to place significant demand on insurance companies, contractors, and suppliers.

If you’re still waiting on repairs, you’re not alone. The reality is that the sheer volume of work is straining resources industry-wide, and even now, many homeowners are still in the queue as insurers and contractors work through the backlog.

While it’s natural to feel frustrated by delays, this isn’t about slow progress—it’s about managing an unprecedented scale of restoration work as efficiently as possible while maintaining quality.

Why Is It Taking So Long?

Many people assume that most repairs from a major storm are completed within a few months, but the August 2024 hailstorm was different. The industry is still catching up due to:

• Record-High Claim Volume – Tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses are going through the same process, from insurance approvals to contractor scheduling.‍
• Resource Strain Across the Industry – Insurance adjusters, suppliers, and contractors are all handling a historic level of demand, and supply chain disruptions for materials continue to play a role in slowing things down.

• Winter Weather Considerations – While winter roofing is possible, some types of work require specific conditions, meaning certain projects may need to wait for the right window.

Why Calgary’s Climate Helps Keep Projects Moving

While we're still at the mercy of Mother Nature and Calgary's weather is known for being unpredictable, this is year round. And although unpredictable, and makes difficult to set hard timelines, it can work to our advantage when scheduling projects in the winter.

• Over 300 sunny days per year, Calgary is one of the sunniest cities in Canada - meaning we can continue working on projects, even in cooler months.‍
• Chinook winds frequently bring above-freezing temperatures, making winter installations possible.‍
• Fewer work delays in winter than summer—Calgary actually loses more workdays to rain in June than to snow in January.

This means that even if your project is still in the queue, our teams will continue working through the colder months to keep things moving forward.

What Homeowners Can Expect Moving Forward

While delays are unavoidable in a storm of this scale, here’s what homeowners can do to navigate the process smoothly:

• Understand That Quality Takes Time – Rushing projects can lead to cutting corners, and no one wants that when it comes to protecting their home.‍
• Be Prepared for Adjustments – While timelines are improving, unexpected delays can still happen due to weather, material availability, or insurance processing.

At the end of the day, every contractor, insurance company, and supplier in Calgary is working to complete this historic volume of repairs as efficiently and safely as possible. While patience is required, the city is steadily recovering, and progress is being made every day.

Epic Roofing: A Steady Hand in a Challenging Time

Through it all, our team at Epic Roofing & Exteriors remains committed to serving homeowners with transparency, efficiency, and quality workmanship. We’ve weathered major storms before, and our experience handling high-volume restoration work means we have the systems and expertise to manage this demand effectively.

While wait times are longer than usual, we’re making steady progress every day, prioritizing safety and craftsmanship to ensure that when your project is completed, it’s done right.

If you have questions about your project timeline, our team is here to help. Thank you for your patience, trust, and understanding as we continue building and restoring Calgary and surrounding areas.

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