ENDED: Tornado Warning for Gananoque and area

UPDATE: UPDATE: Environment Canada cancelled this Tornado Warning at about 11:50 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2022, replacing it with a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Watch.

ORIGINAL: Environment Canada has issued a Tornado Warning for Gananoque, Mallorytown, Westport and Charleston Lake.

“At 10:15 p.m. EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible,” the national weather service said in the warning. “A line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes is located near Lower Beverley Lake, moving east at 65 km/h.”

The tornado and 100 km/h wind gusts were confirmed via radar, Environment Canada said.

Locations impacted include Charleston Lake, Phillipsville, Lower Beverley Lake, Sheatown, Athens, Wiltsetown, Forthton, Seeley and New Dublin.

“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” Environment Canada said. “Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Tornadoes at night cannot be seen and may strike suddenly. Sometimes they are preceded by strengthening winds, large hail, or an approaching whistling or roaring sound.”

Environment Canada urges residents in the affected areas to go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet. “Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris,” Environment Canada continued. “Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!”

Tornado warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing tornadoes.