UPDATE: Effects of the Storm

Westport suffered minimal damage from the storms that swept through Fairfield County today, leaving Bridgeport in a state of emergency after an apparent tornado uprooted trees and knocked out power there.

The Westport Fire Department sent two engines to assist Bridgeport, which suffered severe damage, including overturned boats in the harbor, a tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 95, tree damage and lost power.

The Westport Fire Department responded to assist in the storm response with Rescue Company 3, Engine Company 2 along with Deputy Chief Jonathan Gottfried and Fire Marshal Edward Zygmant.  Assistant Chief Andrew Kingsbury responded from his home in Trumbull after navigating the numerous trees that impeded his response.  Other Fire Departments that lent a hand included Wilton, Fairfield, Trumbull, Milford and Shelton. 

When Westport units arrived in Bridgeport they immediately went to work responding to numerous calls for structural damage, downed power lines and a structure fire, Assistant Chief Robert Yost said in a news release Thursday night.  At one point the Rescue and Engine had to assist in evacuating a seven-story apartment for seniors that many feared would collapse. 

At 10 p.m. Thursday, the Bridgeport Police Department requested the Terex Light tower that is co-owned by the Westport Police and Fire Departments to assist in night-time operations. 

"This is yet another example of communities coming together with resources in a time of crisis," Yost said.

As of 11 p.m., four Westporters remained without power, down from 245 reported earlier in the day, according to Connecticut Light & Power.

While some Westport firefighters were assisting Bridgeport, others were working in town during the day Thursday. A few trees were downed in Westport in the area of Sturges Highway and Catamount Road. On Catamount, one tree had fallen over a power line. On Sturges, a tree had fallen over a power line and caused a small fire.

The Westport Fire Department was working to put out the fire and clear the area with tree and utility crews Thursday afternoon. The highway was closed between Catamount and Meeker while crews worked to remove the tree and put out the fire.