Severe Weather Updates: Fairfield [UPDATED]

Update, 11:15 p.m.

Despite the estimated 6 a.m. restoration time, UI crews have been working to bring back power to Fairfield: as of 11:12 p.m., the number of outages was down to 140.

Update, 10:15 p.m.

UI reports 532 Fairfield customers out as of 10 p.m. Restoration time is estimated for 6 a.m.

Update, 9:20 p.m.

UI reports 448 Fairfield customers are without power, restoration not expected til 6 a.m. Friday.

There are 6,524 UI customers out statewide.

Update, 9 p.m.

Fairfield fire personnel have been dispatched to Nichols Street to check on a structure after a tree fell on a garage, and to Toll House Lane to check a report of wires down on cars. According to UI, there are 374 customers out in Fairfield and 6,106 statewide. Expect restoration anywhere from 45 minutes from now to approximately two-and-a-half hours from now.

Update, 8:45 p.m.

UI is reporting 219 Fairfield customers are suffering power outages right now; 3,913 customers out statewide. Expect restoration anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour from now.

Update, 8:36 p.m.

According to scanner reports, a tree is down on Raymonds Drive and struck a house. UI is reporting 3,231 total customers out; 15 in Fairfield.

Update, 8:17 p.m.

UI reports 13 customers out in Fairfield; 1,942 customers out total across state.

Update, 8:08 p.m.

As of 8:03 p.m., United Illuminating has reported one outage in Fairfield. But Facebook and Twitter users have reported outages on Acorn Lane and Old Dam Road.

Update, 7:57 p.m.

Downed tree in the 1000 block of Stratfield Road, according to scanner. It's blocking the road.

Update, 7:44 p.m.

Downed lines and wired reported on Commerce Drive and Stratfield Road. Multiple cloud-to-ground lightning strikes coming down.

Update, 6:20 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Fairfield County, effective through 7:15 p.m.

Update, 5:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Fairfield County at 4 p.m. today; it will stay in effect until 11 p.m.

Below are thunderstorm safety tips, provided by the American Red Cross:

Before lightning strikes

• Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
• If you hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for the latest weather forecasts.

When a storm approaches
 At home:

• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Go inside and stay there.
• Secure outside doors.
• Draw blinds and shades over windows to prevent glass from shattering into your home. Then, stay away from windows and doors.
• Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers.
• Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage and result in costly repairs. Leaving electric lights on, however, doesn’t increase the chance of your home being struck by lightning.
• Telephone lines can conduct electricity. Use a corded phone only for emergencies.
• Avoid running water for a bath, shower or any other purpose. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
• Don’t lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls. Concrete typically has metal bars reinforcing it, which can serve as conductors.

 Away from home:

• Find shelter in a sturdy structure that has electricity or plumbing, which would carry a lightning charge into the ground.
• If you can’t find a building, take shelter in a hard-topped vehicle. The steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you’re not touching metal. You could be injured if lightning strikes the vehicle, but you’re much safer there than outside or in a tent or unenclosed shelter area. Keep vehicle windows closed.
• If you’re caught in an open area and can’t find safe shelter, go to a low-lying place away from trees, poles or anything metal. Make sure the place isn’t subject to flooding. Squat on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the lowest, smallest target possible.
  Don’t lie flat on the ground — this will make you a larger target.
• If stuck in the woods, take shelter under a smaller stand of trees, which is less susceptible to lightning strikes or being blown down by the wind.
• If boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately.

After the storm passes

• Stay away from downed power lines and other storm-damaged areas.
• Listen to the TV or radio for information and instructions.

Watches and Warnings

• Severe thunderstorm watch: Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to local radio and television broadcasts and NOAA Weather Radio station to know when warnings are issued.
• Severe thunderstorm warning: Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

If someone is struck by lightning

• People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.
• Call for emergency help.
• Check the shocked person for burns both where the lighting struck and where the electricity left the body. Lightning also can cause nervous system damage, broken bones and loss of hearing or eyesight.
• Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, a trained person should begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care for other possible injuries. Learn first aid and CPR by taking a Red Cross course at www.indyredcrosstraining.org.

Original Post, 3:30 p.m.

The latest from the National Weather Service regarding this evening's : 

"A line of severe thunderstorms is currently moving through central New York and central Pennsylvania...and is on track to enter forecast area [Fairfield County] this evening. These storms have a history of producing wind damage...and they are not likely to weaken as they approach the local area.

This line will first enter the lower Hudson Valley...northeast New Jersey...and New York City between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. ... and will move east into Connecticut and Long Island between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Additional thunderstorms will linger over the area through midnight.

Severe thunderstorms are capable of damaging winds over 58 mph and hail over 1 inch in diamater. Frequent and dangerous lightning strikes are expected with this storm. Torrential rain with rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour is likely...possibly producing flash flooding over the area. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out."

Already, Litchfield County has been put under a tornado watch through 9 p.m.

Patch will be updating this article throughout the evening, so consider it your hub for regular storm updates, damager reports, road closures, power outage information, and more.

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