The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF1 tornado in New Canaan Tuesday when severe storms moved through the state. Officials also confirmed EF1 tornadoes near New Castle, New York and Stony Point, New York and an EF0 tornado in Ronkonkoma, New York.
According to the NWS report, a severe thunderstorm produced the tornado near the intersection of Weed Street and Marshal Ridge Road. The tornado had estimated maximum wind speeds of 100 mph.
This is the seventh tornado in Connecticut this year, making it one of the most active tornado years on record. The state averages 1.5 tornadoes per year.
The storms caused flooding and damage in some parts of the state. Norwalk reported wires and poles down, and New Canaan had multiple trees down, including some on Route 15 northbound which closed the highway. Fairfield and Wilton reported similar issues.
There were also reports of flooding across the state that forced road closures. In Norwalk, there was ponding on Route 1 near Scribner Avenue.
In Hartford, fire officials cautioned drivers to stay away from Granby Street due to severe flooding.
Over in Waterford, a lightning strike took down a power line and caused a fire that closed a section of the Waterford Parkway South.
The tornado warning was issued for Fairfield County but was canceled as storms weakened.
A tornado warning means you should take shelter immediately. An underground or windowless space is the best possible place to be in a tornado.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Hartford, Fairfield, Tolland and Windham counties Tuesday afternoon but have since expired.
by NBC Connecticut (2018, October 2 | Upated 2018, October 3)
