Tornado researchers assessing damage in Belleville and Mallorytown, Ont.
Researchers from Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project are heading to Belleville and Mallorytown on Friday to assess damage after a line of severe thunderstorms moved through eastern Ontario on Thursday afternoon.
Belleville Police said they received "an overwhelming number of calls and reports" about the storm, starting at about 3:15 p.m. ET Thursday.
"Many of the reports included live hydro wires laying across roads, houses and vehicles, trees obstructing roadways and driveways, damage to homes and vehicles and dangerous conditions," police wrote in a news release issued Friday.
No deaths or serious injuries were reported.
Northern Tornadoes Project researchers will be conducting damage surveys in and around Belleville and Mallorytown to find out whether a downburst or tornadoes were responsible.
The City of Belleville said Friday that Bridge Street East at Plaza Square and Front Street at Pinnacle Street remain closed due to damage. The dog park at East Zwick's Park will remain closed until staff clear downed trees.
Elexicon Energy, which provides power in Belleville, reported a number of outages throughout the city Friday morning, affecting thousands of customers.
Hydro One is also dealing with outages affecting about 1,500 customers throughout the region.
Images from Belleville
Possible tornado being investigated in Carleton Place
The Northern Tornadoes Project is also investigating the possibility that there was a tornado in Carleton Place, Ont.
The team received video of ground circulation in the area during the storm Thursday.
It's still collecting evidence and asks anyone with information to share through their website or to their Twitter account.
