Ontario storm knocks out power for thousands

Nearly 50,000 customerswerewithout power across southernOntario after an intense storm battered the province on Sunday, bringingheavy winds, rain, hail and possible funnel clouds.

The outages were spread over an area from Lake Huron to Toronto. The utility companyHydro One said ithopes to restore service to many of its customersby later Sunday night.

Toronto Hydro wasalsoreporting multiple outages across the city including one at Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

• Ontario storm captured in wild weather photos

Elsewhere, the wild weather blew down trees, cancelled a music festival and, according to the Ontario Provincial Police,sent six people to hospital whenatent collapsednear Proton Station,a communityabout 50 kilometres southeast of Owen Sound.

There were also reports of funnel cloudsnearOrangeville, north of Toronto,earlier in the day, according to the OPP.

The OPP said it hasreceived many reports of downed trees and power lines,but no reports of serious damage.Due to safety concerns, the Veld Music Festival that was being held at Downsview Park in Toronto was called off.

Environment Canada said clusters of serious to severe thunderstorms are possible well into the evening. Toronto residents can expect strong wind gusts, large hail, heavy rain and the possibility of "isolated brief tornadoes."

A severe thunderstorm warnings remained in place for much ofsouthern Ontario on Sunday evening.