Thunderstorm warning ends in Hamilton after heavy rainfall

Dark clouds rolled overdowntown Hamiltonlate Wednesday morning, unleashing heavy rainfall.

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning around 10:45 a.m., just as the rain began.It later downgraded the warning toa thunderstorm watch bymid afternoon.

"Meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain," the weather agency said in a statement.

Torrential downpour was expected todump as much as 50 mm of rain on the city in an hour, Environment Canada said. Wind gusts could've beenup to 90 km/h.

The agency saidthe risk of thunderstorms continuedinto the early evening.

Brantford, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Burlington were also under a severe thunderstorm watch.

Environment Canada advisedpeople to stayindoors.

It warnedthe heavy downpour may cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.Large hail could damage property and cause injury, it said.Strong gusts of wind might'vetossed objects, damaged weak buildings, broken branches off trees and overturned large vehicles.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority said Wednesday it was on floodwatch.

"Water levels and flows in all area watercourses are expected to increase significantly, as a result of the ongoing rain and thunderstorms occurring today," it said in an email.

Residents should "exercise caution near all water bodies andstructures such as bridges, culverts and damsduring this time," it added.