Investigators probe possible tornado near Carleton Place, Ont. during Thursday's storm

Storm clouds. (Photo by Raychel Sanner on Unsplash)

Meteorologists are investigating a possible tornado near Carleton Place as the cleanup continues from the severe storms that moved across the region.

Environment Canada issued a series of tornado warnings and watches for Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Thursday as severe weather moved across the province.

Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project says survey teams are investigating a possible tornado near Carleton Place, west of Ottawa.

"Video of ground circulation … collecting evidence," the agency said on Twitter.

Dave Sills of the Northern Tornadoes Project shared video on Twitter of what he called a "possible weak, brief tornado" with the "supercell" east of Carleton Place at approximately 4:12 p.m. Thursday. Sills shared video from Quebec Vortex storm chasers.

The Western University Northern Tornadoes Project is also investigating possible downbursts between Belleville and Mallorytown.

"It looks like that's a downburst, and that's what hit the southern part of Ottawa on May 21," Sills told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron.

"Enough to take off the roof of an old building and knock it on to the ground, and take down quite a few trees."

Sills says a downburst can cause a wider area of damage, compared to a tornado.

The city of Belleville spent Friday cleaning up after severe weather swept through the area. 

Several buildings were damaged on Front Street, and debris covered several streets.

Mayor Mitch Panciuk says the city suffered a complete power system failure following the storm. By Friday afternoon, only 2,000 residents were still without power.