Severe storms hit Montreal on Sunday, resulting in significant damages and injuries across the city. A large inflatable slide was swept away in the Ouellette Park area of LaSalle, injuring several individuals, including a child in critical condition.
Storm Damage Overview
The strong winds reached speeds of 35 to 67 km/h, prompting over 50 emergency calls to the Montreal Fire Department. This included reports of fallen trees and damage to power lines.
Key Incidents
- A tree uprooted in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve crushed two parked cars.
- Five ambulances were dispatched to Ouellette Park due to the inflatable slide incident.
- Eleven people were assessed, with six transported to hospitals, including two children.
- One child suffered severe injuries, resulting in critical condition concerns during transport.
Response and Recovery
According to Annick Vaillancourt, spokesperson for the Montreal Fire Safety Service (SIM), the situation was largely under control by the evening.
Emergency crews focused on clearing obstructions and restoring services. One fallen tree caused a power outage expected to last two to three days.
Weather Conditions
Environment Canada had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for multiple regions, including Montreal. Lightning strikes were reported, particularly in eastern areas of the city.
Additionally, hailstones measuring up to 2 cm were observed near Saint-Hyacinthe. By midnight, nearly 10,000 residences in Quebec still faced power outages, primarily affecting regions like Laurentides, Laval, and Lanaudière.
Future Weather Outlook
For Monday, meteorologists warn of potential lingering thunderstorms across regions, from Outaouais to eastern Quebec. However, the storms are expected to be less intense than those experienced on Sunday.
