Environment Canada was warning Quebecers to be on the lookout for possible tornadoes as part of a severe thunderstorm warning on Friday afternoon.
The warning was in effect for the Chateauguay-La Prairie, Laval, Longueuil-Varennes and Montreal areas.
There was the possibility of “very strong wind gusts, nickel to ping pong ball size hail and heavy rain,” as well as intense lightning.
In a statement on their website, Environment Canada advised those in the storm’s path to take cover immediately and to stay away from items that conduct electricity if outdoors.
Live de St-mathieu au sud de Montreal #MeteoQC pic.twitter.com/T2AJvyYp6x
— Pierre-Marc Doucet (@PMDStormchaser) August 4, 2017
UPDATED: Severe #thunderstorm warnings are in effect for the following areas pic.twitter.com/hOlTXi3Zzc
— Lori Graham (@LGrahamCTV) August 4, 2017
Large tree branch snaps under force of heavy wind and rain at Sherbrooke and Girosrd pic.twitter.com/5omCZAKiHG
— Derek Conlon (@DConlonCTV) August 4, 2017
The warning was dropped later in the day, although thunderstorm watches remained in effect for much of southern Quebec.
The storms knocked out power to tens of thousands of people from the Laurentians to the Eastern Townships.
The worst-hit area was the Mauricie, where at 10 p.m. Friday there were 20,000 buildings without electricity.
More thunderstorms are expected Friday night, tapering to showers by midday Saturday.
