Four killed during powerful storms in eastern Canada

Four people are dead and nearly 900,000 homes are without power after severe storms pummeled the eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

Ontario police said three people died and several more were injured because of the strong thunderstorm. Images posted on social media from across the province showed debris-strewn streets and toppled trees that damaged homes and cars.

One man was killed when a tree fell on the trailer he was staying in on Saturday. Meanwhile, according to Peel Regional Police, a woman in her 70s was killed after being struck by a tree in the city of Brampton.

“Woman was transported to local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries,” the organisation posted on Twitter.

The storm was severe enough for Environment Canada to issue broadcast-intrusive emergency alerts that went out to television and radio stations and mobile phones.

In the federal capital Ottawa, another person was killed by the storm, but local police declined to give further details.