Ontario storm knocks out power for thousands
Nearly 50,000 customers were without power across southern Ontario after an intense storm battered the province on Sunday, bringing heavy winds, rain, hail and possible funnel clouds.
The outages were spread over an area from Lake Huron to Toronto. The utility company Hydro One said it hopes to restore service to many of its customers by later Sunday night.
Toronto Hydro was also reporting multiple outages across the city including one at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Elsewhere, the wild weather blew down trees, cancelled a music festival and, according to the Ontario Provincial Police, sent six people to hospital when a tent collapsed near Proton Station, a community about 50 kilometres southeast of Owen Sound.
There were also reports of funnel clouds near Orangeville, north of Toronto, earlier in the day, according to the OPP.
The OPP said it has received many reports of downed trees and power lines, but no reports of serious damage. Due to safety concerns, the Veld Music Festival that was being held at Downsview Park in Toronto was called off.
Environment Canada said clusters of serious to severe thunderstorms are possible well into the evening. Toronto residents can expect strong wind gusts, large hail, heavy rain and the possibility of "isolated brief tornadoes."
A severe thunderstorm warnings remained in place for much of southern Ontario on Sunday evening.
