THUNDERSTORM CAUSING HEAVY RAIN MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGHTOUT MUSKOKA

MUSKOKA — At 12:05 p.m. EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts, pea to dime size-hail and heavy rain as it moved north through Muskoka.

The rain fell before 12:30 p.m. and dark skies persisted throughout the early afternoon as the Environment Canada says in its noon alert that this severe thunderstorm is located near Eldon, moving north at 60 km/h. Hazard: 90 km/h wind gusts and pea to dime size hail.

Locations impacted include: Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial, Balsam Lake Provincial Park, Indian Point Provincial Park, Canal Lake, Uphill, Kirkfield, Mitchell Lake, Head Lake, West Bay, South Bay, Balsam Lake and Black Lake.

Four deaths have already been reported in southern Ontario.

Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors! Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather in Ontario, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm. For more information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/be-prepared-emergency.