Tornado warning issued in southern Quebec ends, storms continue

Tornado warnings issued on Monday evening for the Thetford Mines and Lotbiniere areas in Quebec have been lifted, although Environment Canada reports warm, humid and storm weather was forecast to continue Tuesday.

“Severe thunderstorms affected several regions of southern and central Quebec Monday,” notes a special weather statement issued at 5:19 am Tuesday, with “the meteorological scenario risks repeating itself again this afternoon and tonight.”

The humid and rainy weather was expected to persist for the rest of the week – and perhaps until the weekend – “as a steady low-pressure system will anchor near the Great Lakes, beginning Wednesday evening,” the statement says.

Environment Canada advised the public to monitor future forecasts and warnings and warnings may be required or extended.

At 6pm Monday, tornado warnings were issued for the Thetford Mines and Lotbiniere areas, which Environment Canada characterized as “a dangerous and life-threatening situation.” The warnings noted that meteorologists were tracking a very dangerous thunderstorm producing tornado and that observers had reported a tornado southeast of Villeroy.

Members of the public were advised to take cover in a sturdy, permanent building or underground if threatening weather approaches. “If you see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately,” the warning stated.

“Vehicles, mobile homes, cottages, boats and any tents or trailers are unsafe. Seek shelter in a location like a bathroom, interior closet, stairwell, basement or the lowest level in the building. Stay away from windows or outside walls, as they offer little protection,” it added.

Severe thunderstorm warnings for the Levis, Quebec City, Valcartier-Stoneham and Portneuf areas, issued late Monday afternoon, noted that meteorologists were tracking an area of severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rain, as well as intense lightning in certain regions. A funnel cloud had been observed near Batiscan. “Strong wind gusts and hail can damage property and cause injuries. Local downpours can cause flash floods.”

In late May, select findings from a poll conducted by Pollara and commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), found that 46% of respondents know that home insurance generally covers damage caused by a tree destroying their roof as a result of a tornado, 45% know that damage from tornadoes (aside from overland flooding) is typically covered by home insurance, and 36% know that water damage due to overland flooding is not covered by home insurance.

Also this spring, Aviva Canada reported water damage accounted for about 40% of its home insurance claims, pointing out the average cost of water damage claims are on the rise. The insurer noted that from 2002 to 2012, these claims in Quebec were up 84%.

Water damage produced by a storm system that moved from southern Ontario to southern Quebec – hitting Thunder Bay, Ontario and Montreal particularly hard – over four days in May 2012 resulted in estimated insured damage of $200 million, IBC reported, citing data from Property Claim Services Canada.