A severe thunderstorm pummeled much of southern Ontario on Tuesday night, dropping gumball-sized hail on some regions and even generating an F-1 tornado.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Geoff Coulson said the twister touched down between Mitchell and Monkton in Perth County north of Stratford. He added that the tornado had winds between 120 and 150 kilometres an hour.
Earlier in the day Coulson said crews were checking reports of possible twisters in about five other locations across Ontario.
Hailstorms were reported in a number of municipalities, including Brampton and north Etobicoke.
High winds and heavy rain uprooted trees and knocked down power lines. About 7,000 homes and businesses reported power outages, but service was restored to about half those customers by mid-morning.
Hydro One spokesman Al Manchee said full restoration was not expected until mid-to-late afternoon.
The CN Tower, which is struck by lighting about 75 times a year, was hit three times during a seven-minute span Tuesday night.
The powerful storm could have caused a giant slab of marble to rip apart from the exterior of First Canadian Place in downtown Toronto and fall about 60 floors. Police closed a number of streets to traffic as a precaution.
There were no reports of injuries.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has issued a high water safety bulletin, urging residents to stay away from swollen creeks and rivers.
Toronto's forecast calls for rain on Wednesday, and there is a 60 per cent chance of showers on Thursday.
With files from The Canadian Press
