Fierce winds create widespread damage - 250,000 without power in Quebec

Firefighters on L'Ile Perrot, along with their colleagues in Montreal, were busy last night responding to dozens of calls for damage generated by 100km/h winds. (ValleyWX)

A strong cold front swept across southern Quebec and Ontario Friday afternoon, accompanied by the first round of severe thunderstorms this season. Thunder and lightning along with heavy rain, greeted drivers returning home in Montreal, as the storms arrived just in time for the evening commute. However the real story for Ontario and Quebec was the strong winds that developed behind the front. Wind gusts in excess of 100km/h created widespread damage and power outages. The wind increased rapidly in Montreal around 9pm Friday evening, and by midnight, over 250,000 residents were in the dark across the southern portion of the province. A peak gust to near hurricane force, 117km/h (72mph), was observed at Trudeau Airport. The wind managed to keep first responders busy, with dozens of call for trees falling onto power lines, cars and homes. On 6th Avenue in Lasalle, the wind took down a string of power poles. On the Louis Bisson Bridge into Laval, a semi was nearly blown into the river below. Transport Quebec closed Highway 13 overnight to remove the truck.

Widespread damage was reported in southern Ontario from the wind storm Friday. Hurricane force winds occurred in several parts of the province. (CBC)

 In Ontario nearly 300,000 customers were without power. A peak gust to 126km/h was reported in Hamilton, 119km/h in Toronto and 96km/h in Ottawa. Widespread damage was reported to trees, roofs and cars. Two deaths occurred in Ontario as a result of the wind. Hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled after a ground stop was ordered at Pearson Airport.

South of the border in New York and Vermont, a tornado watch was posted for the same system. As of this time, no tornadoes were observed, but dozens of  incidents of wind and hail damage were reported.