Environment Canada has issued tornado warnings for much of southwestern Quebec, including the Island of Montreal.

The weather agency says meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado.

It says warnings are also in effect for the Montreal area, and regions to the west and north.

Environment Canada says residents in affected areas should try to shelter in a room on the lowest floor of a building if they see evidence of a tornado, such as a funnel cloud or flying debris.

The alerts come after a tornado touched down earlier today in the Ottawa neighbourhood of Barrhaven.

There are reports of damage to several homes in that suburb.