The death toll from a severe thunderstorm in Canada‘s two most populous provinces this weekend has risen to at least eight, authorities said Sunday, as paramedics continue to clean up to restore half a million lives. The storms, which lasted for more than two hours on Saturday afternoon and were flooded with tornadoes, left traces of devastation in parts of Ontario and Quebec. A strong windstorm of about 132 km (82 miles) an hour was cut down by trees, breaking up poles and knocking down several steel towers, utility companies said.
PM said on storm
Electricity companies were struggling on Sunday to try to replace the power lines. Most of the deaths due to the storm occurred when people were hit by falling trees, authorities said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the coalition government was ready to help the needy. “We think of everyone involved, and thank those who are working to restore order,” Trudeau tweeted on Sunday.
Hydro One Ontario’s largest power company, said in a tweet on Sunday that workers were responding to the damage. Environment Canada has issued cell phone warnings about heavy thunderstorms. Hydro One employees have restored power to more than 360,000 customers, and more than 226,000 customers are left without electricity, the company said in a statement Sunday night. Restoration efforts are likely to continue for a few days before the electricity is restored to all customers, the company said.
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