Most Of Branford Still Without Power After Devastating Storm

BRANFORD, CT — Eversource said it was working with town officials to get the town "back up and going" after company Electric Operations President Craig Hallstrom said a "likely" tornado ripped through town Thursday afternoon. Wind gusts reportedly hit 90 mph.

"It was a devastating storm," Hallstrom said, noting the utility sent 400 crews to help clear downed trees, limbs and power lines. "Branford took it hard, really hard, and I suspect as weather folks look at the details, most likely a tornado will be declared in this area."

Don Polek, who lives on Alps Road in Branford, said what he saw a twister that "looked like a scene from 'The Wizard of Oz.'"

"A bolt of lighting hit a tree and the wind was sideways," he said. "The trees were bending, and snapped in half ... Can 2020 get any worse?"

He said his 2011 Chevy Malibu was "crushed" by the snapped tree. "What else can possibly happen?"

While Polek was on the phone with Patch, with Eversource outside his home, a transformer caught fire, he said breathlessly:

Meanwhile, as of 8 a.m., a few hundred customers had service restored but 95 percent of town was still without power. Less than an hour later, it appeared that around 2,000 customers had power restored; in what areas was unclear.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove said, "We've been working through the night to try and make it safe, open roads, but I ask everybody to avoid any unnecessary travel. That will only delay the restoration process."

Hallstrom said a substation did not sustain damage but, "downstream of the substation" there is "so much damage, so that's what we're working on. It's all about clearing the trees, clearing the way for restoration crews."

Gov. Ned Lamont, Major General Francis J. Evon Jr. of the Connecticut National Guard, search and rescue teams, and town officials will tour the damage from the storm beginning at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Waiting on Lamont remarks at noon.

Check back for updates.