Environment Canada Meterologist Gilbert Fillion said the worst of the storm occurred in the early hours of Monday. It is quite unusual. On average, a storm generates about 2,000 lightning strikes per hour. The provincial power utility said power was expected to be back in the Montreal area before the end of the day but added some Laurentian and south shore residents might not have power restored before Wednesday. The storm also hit the Eastern Townships area southwest of Montreal and the center of the French-speaking province of 7.3 million people.
Damages estimates top tens of millions of dollars.