Storm, possible tornadoes rip through eastern Ontario

Thousands of people were without power Sunday evening after a destructive storm capable of producing tornadoes tore across eastern Ontario, toppling trees and damaging homes.

Environment Canada issued several tornado warnings Sunday night as the powerful storm made its way across the region.

Warnings were issued for the region around Frontenac Provincial Park north of Kingston, Ont., then later as the storm headed east for communities like Gananoque and Brockville.

The weather agency said the storm was capable of generating winds of 100 kilometres per hour, calling it a "dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation."

Large hail and intense rainfall were also possible, Environment Canada added. At least one storm spotter reported seeing a tornado, the agencysaid.

The agency advised people to take shelter indoors in a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls or windows, as tornadoes cannot be seen at night and may strike without warning.

The tornado warning for the Frontenac Provincial Park area was lifted at around 9:30 p.m., while the warnings around Brockville ended shortly after 11 p.m.

Damage 'significant,' says OPP

The storm caused heavy damage in the area around Highway 7, near the communities of Tweed, Madoc and Marmora, said Ontario Provincial Police acting Sgt. Erin Cranton.

There were reports of "significant" damage to homes and properties, along with trees down and power poles toppled, Cranton told CBC Ottawa Sunday night.

There were no reports of major injuries or fatalities, Cranton said. Overnight closures of Highways 7 and 37 in the area ended around 6:45 a.m. Monday, according to the province.

Researchers with Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project said they willsendteams to thatarea Monday morning to survey the damage. The Tweed area was also hit hard by May's fatal derecho.

Hydro One saidroughly 23,000 customers across Ontario were without power as of 11:30 p.m. As of 6 a.m., that was down to about 4,500 customers, mostly around Tweed.

The utility said in a tweet its crews were working "as quickly and safely as possible" to restore power.Its estimated restoration times are all on Monday.