Downed trees, blocked roads, damaged cottages reported as storm hits Muskoka

Downed trees, blocked roads and damaged cottages from a storm that tore through cottage country on Friday afternoon have emergency crews working overtime to clean up debris ahead of the August long weekend.

"We're still in the midst of trying to figure out exactly what happened," said Deputy Fire Chief Gary Monahan of Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department.

Environment Canada spotted funnel clouds in the Muskoka area, promptinga tornado warning, which was later cancelled.

The alert wasdowngraded around 5 p.m.as a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts and nickel-sized hailstones moved through the region.

High winds and heavy rains resulted in downed trees and widespread property damage in cottage country, Monahantold CBC Toronto.

"There are a number of trees on cottages and homes," he said. "A lot of roads are impassable so crews have been trying to get to cottages and residents for the last two or three hours."

Between 70 and 80 millimetres of rain fell in the Huntsville and Lake of Bays area during the storm, Environment Canada meteorologist Mitch Meredightold CBC Toronto.

As a result, more than 14,000 residents were without power, Hydro Onespokesperson Dana Gardner said.

Crews have beenworking to restore power in the area by late Friday,but Gardner says some customers can expect to go without it overnight.

No injuries were reported.

Monahansays they are still in the "emergency phase," while they assess the amount of damage.