Tornado batters Ottawa locality

Meteorologists reported gusts whipped up to around 120 mph, with the city of Gatineau, about five miles north of the capital, taking the brunt.

Images on social media showed homes with damaged rooftops, as debris was seen swirling through the air in video footage.

Ottawa emergency services official Anthony Di Monte told local media around 30 people were injured, five seriously.

Meanwhile, electricity company HydroQuebec reported over 130,000 customers were without power in the Ottawa area on Friday evening.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged residents to check on neighbours who might need help.

“We’re monitoring the situation and thinking of everyone affected,” he said on Twitter.

A weather alert was put in place on Friday afternoon for all of southern Ontario and Quebec. Winds eased by the time they reached greater Montreal, which was hit by heavy rains but escaped major damage.