Parts of Calgary airport closed after powerful storm causes damage

Hail the size of baseballs.

That’s apparently what has closed parts of Calgary International Airport (YYC) after large hail and heavy rain pelted the Calgary area Monday night (Aug. 5), causing damage to houses, cars and the city’s aviation hub.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning at around 8 p.m., warning of an incoming thunderstorm capable of producing powerful wind gusts, baseball-sized hail and heavy rain.

The storm ended up damaging the airport, forcing travellers at gates B and C to evacuate due to water damage, YYC report on its X account last night.

“No injuries have been reported. Delays to inbound and outbound flights are expected. Please check with your airline for flight updates,” the airport wrote in a post.

One user on X, Carlo Binda, who was at the airport at the time of the storm described said the airport’s ceiling was “collapsing,” sharing a video filmed by his wife that showed pieces that had fallen to the terminal floor.

“Work has begun to clean up the water and assess the damage caused by #abstorm,” YYC wrote on X late last night. “Parts of the Domestic Terminal Building will remain closed until further notice. Please check with your airline for flight updates.”

The national weather service said the strongest winds were recorded in Tilley, Alta., where gusts reached 100 km/h.

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