UPDATE: Damage in Westport Results from Torrential Wind and Rain

Trees and power lines have come down after heavy rain swept through Westport Wednesday evening, leaving 4,249 people without power as of 10:05 p.m.

Power was out in many parts of town that had darkened traffic signals, businesses and homes on Wednesday. Large trees fell, causing limbs to be strewn about area roadways and some atop cars, which was the case at the Willows Medical Center on King's Highway North. Westport Fire responded to many emergencies Wednesday.

The Westport Center for Senior Activities was opened as a temporary shelter Wednesday night. Barbara Butler, director of the town's Human Services Department, said no one had come to the center seeking shelter as of 10 p.m. She said she and other staffers and volunteers would remain at the center until about 11 p.m. to assist anyone who walked through the doors. Those in need of shelter or help are asked to call 203-341-5098. 

Butler said she and others have made calls to those they expected might need help, checked on Westport's senior citizens and ensured that everyone on those lists was safe.

"It seems like the storm hit a couple areas pretty badly but it was not as widespread as it was in March," she said, referring to the March 13-14 nor'easter that left many Westporters without power for up to five days. "I think we are more likely to put people up at the Westport Inn if anybody calls. We're not expecting a lot of people. The temperatures are not blistering hot, so unless someone has medical conditions, most people can probably just go to bed and hope the daylight brings sunshine and power."

Wednesday's bursts of rain, thunder and lightening have left some wondering if the damage will exceed that of the March 13-14 storm that totaled more than $1 million in Westport.

Mitch Gross of CL&P says the March nor'easter was several days of rain that left upwards of 7,000 Westporters without power.

"You can't compare the storms," Gross said. "That was a few days of rain and this was a few days of rain all in one day. This will also keep us very busy well into tomorrow."

Gross said CL&P will not assess the damage until the storms have subsided. Another cell, not as strong, was expected to roll through later Wednesday night. 

Gross said CL&P will handle emergency calls only until it is safe to send out assessment teams. He said CL&P is also calling on other utilities to assist in the assessment. Once that is complete, he will have an idea of when power will be restored.

"We have damage throughout the state  and throughout our service area," he said. "There are numerous reports of damage and road closures. We activated the emergency operations center in Berlin to coordinate repairs and we are now reaching out to other utilities."

Westport dispatchers said they were so busy Wednesday that they didn't have time to do anything other than take calls. Preliminary damage reported a lightening strike with branches that have protruded through the roof of a Westport home. Wires were also reported to be on fire on High Point Road.

The storm brought threats of a tornado touching down in Fairfield County until 6 p.m.

As of 5:19 p.m., the weather service said the doppler has shown a severe thunderstorm capable of causing a tornado near Georgetown or New Canaan was moving east at 35 mph. Later the doppler showed the tornado was moving over the Westport-Fairfield line.

The storm also produced quarter sized hail and destructive winds.

The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement. The weather service urges residents to get under a workbench or piece of sturdy furniture. If no basement is available, the weather service advises residents seek shelter on the lowest floor of the building in an interior hallway or closet, away from windows.

In in a mobile home or a vehicle, the weather service says to evacuate them and seek shelter immediately or lie in the nearest ditch.

The storm ran through Litchfield County and caused 30 lightening strikes there, according to reports.