(WTNH) — Gusting winds on Thursday morning downed trees and wires across the state, causing thousands of power outages.
Utility crews and first responders were called to many reports of wind-induced damages and outages. Many of these occurred in Fairfield, Litchfield, and Hartford County, where wind averages were highest.
Just about 10,000 power outages across #CT. I think I know why, check out these winds! #WTNHWeather pic.twitter.com/U2gFDHlK31
— Kevin Arnone (@Kevin_Arnone) March 2, 2017
While the number of outages remained under 5,000 for most of the morning, a downed primary wire in Naugatuck saw that number jump up by 12,320 just after 4:30 a.m. Officials with Eversource say 86% of their customers in Naugatuck were out of power for 11 minutes. During this time, Naugatuck police dispatchers say they were flooded with calls from residents.
In Woodbridge, a handful of customers were out through much of the early morning due to some burning wires on Woodfield Road, reported just after 4 a.m.
Clik here to view.
Peck Hill Road was also closed in Woodbridge because of a large tree blocking the road with wires down. That caused a problem for Allison McMillan who wanted to get to her elementary school today, and the bus usually comes right down Peck Hill Road. In addition to that, another tree came down across the McMillan’s driveway.
“It broke from another one. It was like a big tree and it broke apart, in half,” little Allison said.
The tree blocking the driveway meant her mother, Kate, could not drive her two girls to school either.
“We’re kind of trapped right now. No power, no way out, and it looks like bus isn’t going to be able to make it up our road for school either,” Kate said. Her plan? “I think just hunker down and wait until the wind dies down and get some help.”
Another tree down. This one blocks Peck Hill Rd. in #Woodbridge near Carriage Hill. #WTNHweather pic.twitter.com/m5h1BaW8vS
— Kent Pierce (@kentpierce8) March 2, 2017
In Oxford around 5 a.m., police reported a tree that had fallen down across Bowers Hill Road, taking down some wires. Almost 90 customers were out of power, and the road was closed between Coppermine and Loughlin.
Foran High School in Milford and West Woods School in Hamden are having delayed opening due to power outages.
Related: Delayed openings for schools in Milford, Hamden due to power outages
Redding police also reported that due to trees down on many roads in both Easton and Redding, many buses will be late this morning.
From the schools: Due to trees down on many roads in both Easton and Redding, many buses will be late this morning.
— Redding, CT Police (@reddingpoliceCT) March 2, 2017
In Meriden, News 8’s Kent Pierce discovered some trees down on Woodland Street and a blown over stop sign.
Tree down on wires on Woodland St. near Kensington in #Meriden. I think we’e going to see a lot of this today. #WTNHWeather pic.twitter.com/ATSzTfIo6z
— Kent Pierce (@kentpierce8) March 2, 2017
Wind blew this stop sign down just as we were approaching it in Meriden. #WTNHweather pic.twitter.com/DXNJsfnrXf
— Kent Pierce (@kentpierce8) March 2, 2017
Guilford has over a thousand outages but police can only confirm to News 8 that there’s reports of trees down. Nearby in Madison, wires down have caused 12 outages.
Fallen power cables, caution in #Madison on US-1 Both NB/SB west of Durham Rd #traffic https://t.co/y640I1SLBg
— TTN Hartford (@TotalTrafficBDL) March 2, 2017
Wires also fell in Hebron, where they caught fire. The fire department responded to the area of 32 Carriage Drive near the intersection of Gilead Street for wires burning.
And in New Milford, there were trees and wires down on Candlewood Mountain Road, as well as a pole down on Fairfield Drive, that resulted in a fire.
CLOSED due to trees/wires: Candlewood Mountain Road at Lookout Ridge and Aldrich Road. Town Highway and the utility companies are notified.
— New Milford Police (@nmpolicedept) March 2, 2017
In Lebanon, fire crews responded to the area of 215 Clubhouse Road for a tree and wires down which blocked the road. Lebanon officials remind people that any wire down should be considered LIVE so stay away from downed wires and call 911 to report them.
Some major roads were also impacted by the strong winds.
Just after 8 a.m. in Prospect, a tree down closed Route 68.
Fallen tree, caution in #Prospect on Hwy 68 Both EB/WB at Ctr St and Waterbury Rd #traffic https://t.co/y640I1SLBg
— TTN Hartford (@TotalTrafficBDL) March 2, 2017
And in Meriden around the same time, a tree that had fallen on to Route 15, near exit 67, caused a two car accident that closed part of southbound lane.
Related: Route 15 reopens in Meriden after crash involving downed tree
It happened again on Route 15 southbound around 9:40 a.m. A downed tree in the road resulted in another car accident, closing the highway in the Orange/ Derby area, near exit 58.
Related: Route 15 south closed in Orange due to crash with tree in road
Lastly, at the Simsbury Airport, a small yellow plane was being repaired and had no engine on it when a wind gust flipped it overnight. The plane was unoccupied and no one was injured.
High winds are expected to continue, and in some areas, intensify throughout the morning.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
