Environment Canada said Thursday night that severe thunderstorms were moving further east after rain and high winds affected portions of the region.
A yellow level severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for most of southwestern Ontario.
Shortly before 3 p.m., Chatham-Kent saw a severe thunderstorm warning added to the thunderstorm watch from earlier in the day.
At the time, meteorologists predicted that Stoney Point/Pointe-aux-Roches, Pain Court, North Buxton, Oriole Parkway, and Chatham lay in the path of a thunderstorm travelling at about 40 km/h.
The watch was upgraded to a warning in Sarnia, just before 3:30 p.m. and for the remainder of Lambton County at around 4:10 p.m.
A red level tornado warning was issued for Sarnia-Lambton at around 4:25 p.m.
Environment Canada said meteorologists were tracking a severe thunderstorm that was possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible.
They called it a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.
The tornado warning was lifted for the City of Sarnia at around 4:45 p.m., and replaced with a severe thunderstorm warning about 20 minutes later.
The tornado warning was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning for the rest of Lambton County just before 5:30 p.m.
As of 10 p.m. on Thursday, only Huron, Perth, and Wellington Counties remained on a severe thunderstorm watch.
The national weather agency said we could see wind gusts up to 90 km/h and up to toonie size hail. It advises that local utility outages are also possible.
Environment Canada said if threatening weather approaches, take cover in a basement or interior room. If outside, protect yourself from flying debris and hail and secure loose objects.
We're reminded to monitor for alerts and weather updates.
