Strong winds damage homes, uproot trees in southern Quebec

Strong winds destroyed a residence in Hbertville, a municipality in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jeanregion, on Sunday.

Environment Canada issued atornado warningfor parts of southern Quebec earlier in the afternoon, but later downgraded the notice to a severe thunderstorm warning.

While the federal weather agency did not confirmthat a tornado actually did form in the region,citizens report seeing flying debris.

"It lasted only 10 seconds," saidHbertville residentMarie-HlneGravel. "There were large pieces of wood twirling in the sky and they all fell into the field behind my house."

"It's my friends who live here," saidDliscaGagn, a neighbour living in the area. "It makes me want to cry."

The local fire chief said despite the damages, no one was injured.

Many trees were also uprooted by the winds.

CBC's French-language service Radio-Canada reportedthat another house inSainte-Anne-du-Lacin the Laurentians was nearly destroyed and that a house inAscension-de-Notre-Seigneur had its roof damaged.