EF-2 tornado confirmed after FIERCE storms in Ont., Quebec
theweathernetwork.com
Thursday, August 30, 2018, 12:02 PM - Clean-up is underway after a hot and humid morning gave way to a line of destructive storms through parts of eastern Ontario and Quebec on Wednesday. Damage done to two barns on a Smith Falls, Ont., property and a confirmed EF-2 tornado in Quebec were both part of the latest round of severe weather across both provinces. See more of the impact, below.
TORNADO WARNINGS
Tornado warnings were issued for areas south of Ottawa early Wednesday afternoon, dropping as the storms moved eastward into Quebec. Two barns were reported down in Smiths Falls, Ont., and a bystander told CTV News it looked like the damage was done by a tornado, but Environment Canada has not yet confirmed a twister. The powerful storm also flooded streets in Ottawa's Barhaven neighbourhood with power cut to over 20,000 people in the nation's capital.
(MUST SEE: TORNADO caught on camera in Ontario amid DAYS of severe thunderstorms)
CONFIRMED EF-2 TORNADO IN QUEBEC
In Quebec, no tornado warning was issued through the duration of the event, but severe thunderstorm warnings highlighted the risk for tornadic development. Meteorologists at The Weather Network tracked the storms live on Facebook and the app, warning of its tornadic potential. In addition, the Thetford Mines area was particularly hit hard by these powerful thunderstorms, with reports of hail 2-4 cm in diameter.
"A category EF-2 tornado with winds of approximately 179 to 218 kilometres per hour developed and tracked through a wooded area in the Saint-Julien region," said Environment Canada in a statement Thursday morning. "One mobile home was completely destroyed, many trees were uprooted along a corridor and some traffic signs were bent."
At its peak, the storm left around 100,000 customers without power in the Montreal area Wednesday afternoon. Another 70,000 people were left in the dark, mostly in the Montérégie region. A roof was ripped off a house in Montreal's St-Leonard borough and wind gusts upwards of 90 km/h were recorded at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport.
"Similar damage also occurred in several other regions of the province, including the Eastern Townships," EC adds.
All of the previously issued thunderstorm and heat warnings in both provinces have been lifted, but the scenes of destruction litter many city streets. Social media filled up with video and photos of heavy rain and powerful winds across eastern Ontario as the tornado-warned storms swept the area and into southern Quebec.
YOUR PHOTOS: WEDNESDAY'S STORMS
WATCH BELOW: SEE HOW IT LOOKS AFTER THE STORM IN THIS SMALL ONTARIO TOWN
(YOUR PHOTOS: If it's safe to do so, upload your storm photos or videos HERE. They could be featured on TV or right here on our website)
Penelope Philippe - Montreal, Quebec
Matthias - Plessisville, Quebec
Scott - Embrun, Ontario
