Tornado Strikes Brossard, Leaving Damage in Its Wake

On Wednesday evening, a tornado swept through Brossard, located on the South Shore of Montreal, causing significant damage. The tornado struck around 8 PM, overturning a truck and uprooting several trees in the area.

Mélanie Mercille, spokesperson for the Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service, reported that strong winds flipped a semi-truck on Matte Boulevard. Fortunately, the driver sustained only minor injuries.

Damage was primarily concentrated near the intersection of Matte Boulevard and Jade Place. Nearby, empty propane tanks and containers were overturned in the courtyard of a warehouse, and a roof was partially torn off in the vicinity.

An Environment Canada meteorologist confirmed to Radio-Canada that what hit Brossard was indeed a tornado. Experts from Environnement Canada will be investigating to assess the tornado’s strength.

The Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service has closed Matte Boulevard to traffic between Highway 30 and Quartier Boulevard. As night fell, over 3,500 customers were without electricity on the South Shore.

Heavy rainfall was reported in southern Quebec on Wednesday evening, particularly in Montreal, the Laurentians, Lanaudière, and Montérégie.

The weather models earlier in the day indicated that rotation in the clouds could occur, with the potential for supercells due to wind shear. Tornado warnings were issued in the afternoon and evening for certain regions in Quebec and Ontario.

At approximately 8 PM, a tornado was observed in Brossard. Footage captured by a resident shows a rotating cloud touching the ground and throwing debris around.

This weather event unfolded despite the absence of a tornado alert. The intense storm cell also brought torrential rain and powerful gusts.

This report includes information from La Presse canadienne.