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Tornado warnings, watches end as severe thunderstorms move past eastern Ontario

All tornado warnings and watches have ended for eastern Ontario and Gatineau, Que., after a string of tornadoes hit the region Sunday afternoon and evening.

Environment Canada is now assessing reports of damage in the communities of Camden East, Oxford Mills and Kinmount, Ont.

Damaged roofs and downed trees in Camden East, near Napanee, Ont., prompted the tornado warnings across the region early Sunday afternoon, the weather agency told CBC Ottawa.

Between three and four rotating thunderstorms moved eastward across the region throughout the afternoon and evening.

As of 7 p.m., the weather agency said they had received reports of damage in Camden East, Kinmount, and Oxford Mills, including a video of a tornado.

Ontario Provincial Police also closed part of County Rd 121 in Kinmount because of damage.

As of 10 p.m. Environment Canada said conditions were no longer favourable for producing tornadoes.

'Sounded like a train going through the village'

Lindsay Noyes, co-owner of McCormick's Country Store in Camden East, said her store was damaged when the storm hit around 2:45 p.m., before any warnings had been issued.

"It came on hard and fast and sounded like a train going through the village," said Noyes in an interview with CBC News.

Noyes said the roof of a daycare building across the street from McCormick's ripped off and crashed into the side of her store. Hydro poles, trees and other debris lay strewn on the ground, Noyes said.

Supplied by Kallysta Noyes
Supplied by Kallysta Noyes

Three staff members were working inside the store at the time but all are safe and uninjured, she said.

"It's really the best case scenario, said Noyes. "It's a mess and there's damage but everybody's safe."

Emergency services and municipal staff are on scene assessing the damage, and local residents are also pitching in to help clean up, Noyes said.

Rainfall warning in effect

A rainfall warning is still in effect for Pembroke, Ont., as well as Maniwaki, Que.

According to Environment Canada, residents of the Maniwaki area can expect between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain, while those in the Pembroke area can expect between 40 to 50 millimetres throughout Sunday.

Some areas could receive up to 75 millimetres.