Thunderstorms Sweep Through Area; Warning Canceled [Update]

Update, 6:32 p.m.:

CL&P now shows 13 customers without power in Darien, in contrast to the tens of thousands affected by outages statewide.

Update, 6:24 p.m.:

The NWS has canceled its severe thunderstorm warning as the storm system moves through the area.

CL&P has opened its emergency operations center to address the tens of thousands of power outages reported statewide, but Darien looks to have avoided the worst, with just one outage reported as of 6:24 p.m.

Update, 5:58 p.m.: 

The severe thunderstorm warning has been extended to 6:45 p.m.

Update, 5:45 p.m.:

The NWS now reports that the storm is likely to be in the vicinity of Darien by 6:15 p.m. Residents are advised to move indoors immediately.

Original article:

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Darien and surroundings, in effect through 6:15 p.m.

"At 5:17 p.m. EDT, National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a developing line of sever thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph moving into the region," the service warned.

The line of storms is moving southeast at 35 mph and is expected to reach the coast of Southeast Connecticut around 6 p.m., forecasters reported.

"In addition to hail and damaging winds, continuous cloud to groun lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately," the service warned. "Lightning is one of nature's number one killers. Remember: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for the area until 10 p.m.