Severe thunderstorms drench Montreal area

Montreal was pelted with a severe thunderstorm that moved across southern Quebec and brought heavy rain and hail Thursday afternoon. 

Environment Canada warned the powerful storm could potentially produce tornadoes, but as of 6 p.m. a tornado had not been confirmed. 

Two homes were destroyed by fire caused by a lightning strike on Montreal's north shore during the storm. 

• Read more: Drone footage shows Quebec homes destroyed after lightning strike

It was an intense storm that drenched Montreal and the surrounding regions. 

It was a fierce storm that was apparently too much to handle for this manhole cover. 

 

 

 

 

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By 8:12 p.m., severe thunderstorm warnings had ended in Montreal, as well as Châteauguay - La Prairie, Longueuil, and Laval. 

• Latest Environment Canada watches and warnings here

On social media, people posted photos and videos of streets -- and even the F1 racetrack -- appearing flooded.

The Ministry of Transportation had to close Highway 15 and the Highway 40 East exit due to flooding; in Montreal, Metro service was temporarily disrupted due to "water infiltration."

As of 6:45 p.m., more than 33,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were without power. 

-- with files from The Canadian Press.