An image of the Mont Laurier, Que., tornado is captured by video.An image of the Mont Laurier, Que., tornado is captured by video.

A tornado tore through the town of Mont-Laurier, Que., late Tuesday afternoon, damaging homes, uprooting trees and downing power lines.

Environment Canada said in a statement the tornado was caused by a severe thunderstorm that swept through the area at around 2:30 p.m. ET.

This building in Mont Laurier, Que., was flattened by a tornado that tore through the town late Tuesday afternoon.This building in Mont Laurier, Que., was flattened by a tornado that tore through the town late Tuesday afternoon. (CBC)

About 40 homes in the area suffered severe damage, local police said. Two men were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Around 4,000 area residents are without power because of downed transmission lines, Hydro Quebec said.

Environment Canada had issued a severe storm warning for the Laurentians, the Outaouais region in western Quebec and the Lac St. Jean area about 250 kilometres north of Quebec City.

Environment Canada lifted that warning at 8 p.m. ET.

With files from The Canadian Press