One dead as tornado hits Mascouche, Que., north of Montreal

One person died after a tornado touched down in Mascouche, about 40 kilometres northeast of Montreal, late Monday afternoon.

It appears a man looked to take cover in a backyard shed, but the winds and impact of the tornado were too strong.

Emergency officials have confirmed two others sustained light injuries.

WATCH: Video provided by Nicolas Dubreuil (Facebook)

Trees were pulled from their roots and landed on homes, hydroelectric lines were brought to the ground and roofs were ripped off some buildings under construction.

Thousands are now without power.

Part of this home’s roof and siding ripped off at Place l’Acadie in Mascouche.
Video credit: CityNews staff pic.twitter.com/NiWZS8auDX

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) June 21, 2021

Mayor Guillaume Tremblay wrote on his Facebook page there was damage reported in several parts of the city and emergency teams had been dispatched to those sectors hardest hit.

There was significant damage done on Louvin Street and Levesque Street, specifically.

A sign of the devastation done by the Mascouche tornado. (Credit: CITYNEWS/Marc-Antoine Ostiguy)

The Quebec branch of the Red Cross is working with public security in the area to help citizens that can no longer access their homes.

The group said between 50 and 100 people were being taken care of with offers of food, clothing and temporary shelter.

Environment Canada confirmed there was at least one tornado, but it is not clear how strong it was or what path it took.

Quebec Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault extended her condolences to the family of the victim on Twitter and said provincial officials were mobilizing to help those affected.

Phénomène météo extrême à Mascouche. On nous confirme malheureusement le décès d’un homme. Nos pensées accompagnent sa famille et ses proches. Nos équipes gouvernementales sont mobilisées sur le terrain pour venir en aide aux sinistrés et soutenir les autorités municipales.

— Geneviève Guilbault (@GGuilbaultCAQ) June 21, 2021

The national weather agency issued a series of alerts Monday from Montreal’s South Shore to the Quebec City region, warning of the possibility of severe thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, lightning and even tornadoes.

–With files from The Canadian Press