An intense wind storm knocked out power to thousands people across Ottawa Friday night and caused damage to trees and vehicles.

At 11:00 p.m., the Ottawa airport measured wind gusts at 97 km/h. At one point, about 45,000 Hydro Ottawa customers were without power. Crews continue to work to restore it, but they were hampered overnight by the strong winds. 

In Carlington, part of the roof of an apartment building on Silver Street was blown off onto the street. 

Stephanie Bridel was home with her dog when it happened. 

"I went downstairs and the entire roof had pretty much come off and was in our backyard," said Bridel.

Bridel said she was watching television with her dog when she heard a loud noise that she thought was her dumpster falling over.

"It was really surprising," she said. "I think think a roof could be ripped off of an apartment building that easily." 

Across the street, Lynne Corrigan had just stepped back into her home when the windows started shaking. 

"The windows were whistling like crazy and then they started banging," she said. "Before I had time to even get up, I heard the rumbling start and then stuff bouncing off the roof." 

The stuff bouncing off her roof was pieces of Bridel's Silver Street apartment complex. Pieces of tar and insulation landed on Corrigan's roof and backyard. 

"I have thanked god numerous times today," Corrigan said. "Somebody could have been hurt. I was just outside." 

The wind also knocked trees down across the city. Numerous trees were knocked onto the bike path along the rideau canal, many more hitting cars and even a home in Barrhaven.

Steven Lee's massive tree fell down while he was watching the hockey game. Since it was blocking the street, he decided to clean it up himself.

"We wanted to make sure it was safe for people to pass," Lee said. "We're just chopping it up and getting it ready to move along." 

Lee was lucky. His tree fell without striking anything of value. 

It's a situation Hayley Cannon's family wasn't lucky enough to be in. The 60 foot tree in her front yard fell ontop of two vehicles. 

"Today, this morning, we were supposed to be trading in that car for a new one," she said pointing to a white vehicle. "This car was supposed to be traded in later." 

Cannon's family believes insurance will cover the costs of the city's tree falling over. The family says they are glad it wasn't worse.