Update 8:24 p.m.:
Darien electricity customers all have their power back, but there are 35,000 customers around the state still without it, many of them in communities to the north that were hit much harder by the storm.
Connecticut Light & Power issued the following news release about its efforts to restore power after today's storm:
"Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) crews continue making solid progress restoring power to customers affected by today's storms. Heavy rains, hundreds of lighting strikes and wind gusts of 68 miles per hour caused significant damage, leaving 35,000 customers without power at the peak this afternoon at 5 p.m. As of 7:30 p.m., the company has restored power to 22,000 customers.
"'As the storms continue to pass through the state we're using all available resources and crews from our sister companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire are arriving to provide additional help,' said CL&P Vice President of Operations Ken Bowes. 'There are multiple reports of broken poles and downed wires and customers should expect some additional issues.'
"As crews are dispatched to make repairs at specific locations, a restoration estimate will be provided for that location.
"CL&P continues reaching out to all 149 communities it serves to determine if their Emergency Operations Centers are open and to provide a town liaison.
"Each of our 149 cities and towns is assigned a town liaison to ensure consistent communication and coordination with town officials."
Update 5:03 p.m:
A few minutes ago, Shakespeare on the Sound tweeted: "Our performance this evening has been cancelled due to inclement weather, but we'll be back up and out again tomorrow!"
Update 1:28 p.m.:
Some rain and thunder just rolled through Darien, and according to the National Weather Service, more storms appear to be headed our way.
But the Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued earlier by the weather service has expired.
Update 1:12 p.m.:
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Fairfield County and Westchester County. Part of the warning states:
"At 12:30 p.m. [...] National Weather Service Doppler Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located near Scarsdale or near White Plains.
"This storm was moving east at 10 mph. Other locations in the warning include but are not limited to Harrison, NY, Wilton, Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan [in CT], Tarrytown, North Tarrytown, Hawthorne and Dobbs Ferry [in NY]."
Original article, 11:03 a.m.:
While thunderstorms forecasted for this evening are expected to bring some much-needed rain, there is also potential for strong winds, hail and dangerous lightning.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook that warns of the potential dangers of the storm.
"The thunderstorms may produce damaging winds 58 mph or greater ... or hail the size of quaters or larger," the NWS reports. "Frequent lightning and heavy rainfall may accompany the thunderstorms."
This round of weather activity comes on the heels of a storm Sunday evening that brought intense lightning, including .
Here's the National Weather Service's specific forecast for Darien (as of 9:56 a.m., you can click on the last link for the most recent forecast):
- Today: "Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible."
- Tonight: "Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
