Thousands in the Dark After Powerful Storms Rip Through State

Thousands of homes and businesses are still without power around the state the day after storms toppled trees and power lines on Tuesday, prompting tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings.

The National Weather Service estimates that wind speeds reached 90 to 95 miles-per-hour in the hardest hit areas, but said there is no evidence of tornadoes. The winds were the result of multiple microbursts, or straight line winds.

Eversource, formerly Connecticut Light & Power, reported more than 55,000 power outages at the height of the storm on Tuesday evening. As of about 6:39 p.m. Wednesday., the outages are around 7,996.

United Illuminating, which services parts of New Haven and Fairfield counties, reported more than 3,200 outages as of 7:20 a.m. on Wednesday, but all power in that part of the state had been restored by late afternoon.

Durham was one of the hardest-hit towns and power was completely out, but some power has been restored. Around 21 percent is still without power on Wednesday evening, as of 6:43 p.m, or 634 customers. Durham emergency management officials said crews will be in town all evening to continue restoring power to homes and businesses.

The power outages prompted school officials to cancel graduation on Tuesday night at Coninchaug Regional High School, which serves students from Durham and Middlefield.

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Severe weather toppled trees in several communities, one of which crushed a house on Grantham Road in Wallingford.

The storms moved through at about 50 mph, bringing vivid lightning and damaging winds and officials in North Haven said a small tornado or microburst touched down in the area, destroying homes and causing significant power outages.

Meanwhile, the first selectman of Ridgefield has declared a state of emergency because of the storm damage around town.

Town officials in Shelton said around two dozen trees came down in the northern section of town and police and public works crews responded to the area of 118 and 175 Old Ansonia Road and Chestnut Street at French Street.

Police in Monroe said many trees came down and several roads were blocked off. There are also trees down in Durham, Middletown and East Haddam.

In Norwich, the American Red Cross is operating a shelter at Kelly Middle School, at 25 Mahan Drive at the request of town officials after storms knocked out power to residents.

Wednesday features sunny, warm and dry weather. There will likely be partial sun Thursday through the following Monday with a chance of rain.

If you spot storm damage, send photos to shareit@nbcconnecticut.com.