'Bomb Cyclone' Moves Through CT Knocks Out Power To Thousands

CONNECTICUT — Heavy rain and dangerous wind gusts moved through the state Wednesday night, which resulted in thousands of power outages across Connecticut. Two to four inches of rain fell, which led to flooding concerns, especially along the coast. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph has been reported and strong wind gusts are expected throughout Thursday too.

As of late Wednesday, Eversource is reporting nearly 8,000 power outages including: Darien and Danbury with 450 each, 266 in Stamford, 263 in Greenwich, 168 in Wilton, 137 in Tolland, 125 each in Monroe, Naugatuck, and Branford, 119 in Ridgefield, and 109 in Oxford.

United Illuminating Co. is reporting 4,671 power outages late Wednesday including: 1,911 in Bridgeport, 900 in Shelton, 557 in Trumbull, 477 in East Haven, and 433 in Milford.

The wind and rain has taken its toll on towns across the state. Wilton Police say, "The following roads are completely closed until further notice: Route 7 - between Honey Hill Road and Old Mill Road (Georgetown Section), Route 33 (Ridgefield Road) - between Belden Hill Road Middlebrook Farm Road, Sturges Ridge Road near # 35, and Newtown Turnpike - near Cavalry Hill Road."

Greenwich Police said North Street will be closed for an extended amount of time. Tolland Police say trees and wires are down in the area of 613 old Stafford road.

The rain is expected to move out just after midnight and then the big story on Thursday will be strong wind gusts, which continue all day.

Rain totals as reported by the National Weather Service:

...FAIRFIELD COUNTY...

NEW CANAAN 1.41
GREENWICH 1.37
MONROE 1.36
REDDING 1.36
DANBURY AIRPORT 1.35
WESTPORT 1.22
STAMFORD 1.18
BRIDGEPORT AIRPORT 1.17
NORWALK 1.13
SHELTON 1.06
SW BRIDGEPORT 0.91
STRATFORD 0.76

...NEW HAVEN COUNTY...
MILFORD 1.56
NEW HAVEN AIRPORT 1.53
SEYMOUR 1.11
BETHANY 0.92
SOUTHBURY 0.92
HAMDEN 0.80
WATERBURY AIRPORT 0.79
WOODMONT 0.77
STONY CREEK 0.73
BRANFORD 0.71

Wind Gusts

FAIRFIELD COUNTY...
GREENWICH 52 931 PM
BRIDGEPORT AIRPORT 45 835 PM
STAMFORD 41 912 PM
BRIDGEPORT 40

...NEW HAVEN COUNTY...
LIGHTHOUSE POINT 40

...NEW LONDON COUNTY...
GROTON AIRPORT 44

Updated story at 6 p.m. Wednesday: The National Weather Service issued several new weather alerts in association with this fast-moving powerful storm, which is also called a "bomb cyclone."

A Wind Advisory is in effect for all of Southern Connecticut until 6 p.m. Thursday as gusts up to 50 mph is expected along the coast now and even inland areas later tonight and Thursday morning.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for the immediate coast of both Fairfield and New Haven counties from midnight until 4 a.m. Thursday. The weather service says, "There is an elevated threat of property damage. Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. Expect 2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level in the most low lying and vulnerable areas. This will result in numerous road closures and cause widespread flooding of low lying property...."

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Thursday for the immediate coast of Middlesex and New London counties.

A Flood Watch is in effect for Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties from 10 p.m. through Thursday morning. "A heavy rainfall event will impact portions of Southern New England through Thursday morning. Storm total rainfall of 2 to 3 inches and locally up to five inches is expected. Significant urban and poor drainage flooding is likely."

Additionally, a Wind Advisory is also in effect for Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties from 10 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday. Wind gusts between 20 to 30 mph are expected with occasional gusts up to 50 mph.

A Flood Watch is also in effect for Litchfield County from 8 p.m. until Friday morning. "Forecast rain amounts of 1 to 3 inches with isolated 4 inches will fall across the region tonight. Rainfall will be heavy at times, resulting in rising water levels on area streams and rivers. Furthermore, low lying areas and blocked storm drains from fallen leaves and debris may experience rising water levels."

A Wind Advisory is also in effect for Litchfield County from 8 p.m. tonight until 8 p.m. Thursday. Wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible, the weather service says.

The silver lining is that Friday, Saturday and Sunday look like great fall days with nothing but sunshine in the forecast and temps in the mid to upper 50s.

Here is a live look at the congested roads in CT as of 5 p.m.:

WATERBURY - Delays. I-84 Westbound is congested between Exits 22 and 20 (1.4 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 2:19 pm.

HARTFORD - Delays. I-84 Eastbound is congested between Exits 44 and 51 (2.4 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 2:20 pm.

GREENWICH - Delays. I-95 Northbound is congested between Exits 3 and 27 (26.4 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 2:47 pm.

HARTFORD - Delays. I-91 Southbound is congested between Exits 33 and 32 (1.2 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 2:47 pm.

E. HARTFORD - Delays. I-84 Westbound is congested between Exits 56 and 47 (2.5 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 2:48 pm.

NEW HAVEN - Delays. I-95 Southbound is congested between Exits 47 and 43 (2.8 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:00 pm.

STAMFORD - Delays. RT15 Northbound is congested between Exits 33 and 51 (24.6 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:02 pm.

DANBURY - Delays. I-84 Eastbound is congested between Exits 3 and 7 (4.1 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:19 pm.

E. HARTFORD - Delays. RT2 Westbound is congested between Exits 4 and 2W (0.5 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:22 pm.

W. HARTFORD - Delays. I-84 Westbound is congested between Exits 43 and 41 (1.0 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:40 pm.

NEWTOWN - Delays. I-84 Eastbound is congested between Exits 9 and 13 (7.5 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:41 pm.

MIDDLETOWN - Delays. RT9 Northbound is congested between Exits 12 and 16 (1.5 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:42 pm.

MIDDLEBURY - Delays. I-84 Eastbound is congested between Exits 16 and 21 (3.2 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 3:47 pm.

NEW BRITAIN - Delays. RT72 Westbound is congested between Exits 7 and 2 (1.6 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:24 pm.

E. HARTFORD - Delays. RT2 Eastbound is congested between Exits 2 and 5C (2.0 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:14 pm.

NEW BRITAIN - Delays. I-84 Westbound is congested between Exits 36 and 32 (2.8 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:17 pm.

HARTFORD - Delays. I-91 Southbound is congested between Exits 29A and 26 (1.7 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:21 pm.

SHELTON - Delays. RT8 Northbound is congested between Exits 11 and 15 (5.2 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:27 pm.

CROMWELL - Delays. I-91 Southbound is congested between Exits 21 and 18 (5.8 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:36 pm.

WINDSOR - Delays. I-291 Eastbound is congested vicinity of Exit 4 (2.5 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:38 pm.

CROMWELL - Delays. RT9 Southbound is congested between Exits 19 and 16 (1.5 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:39 pm.

MERIDEN - Delays. I-691 Westbound is congested between Exits 8 and 4 (3.1 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:42 pm.

CROMWELL - Delays. RT9 Northbound is congested between Exits 20S and 24 (4.7 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:52 pm.

ROCKY HILL - Delays. I-91 Southbound is congested between Exits 24 and 22N (4.0 miles). Reported Wednesday, October 16 at 4:53 pm.

Original story from 7:30 a.m. Wednesday: CONNECTICUT — A powerful "bomb cyclone" nor'easter will bring heavy, flooding rains to Connecticut and wind gusts of up to 50 mph this afternoon and Thursday morning. Parts of Connecticut may end up with 3 inches of rain.

The greatest concern is the potential for flooding at the coast as a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from midnight until 4 a.m. for the entire Connecticut coast from Greenwich to Stonington.

Power outages are expected as winds hit 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, especially in southeastern Connecticut. The National Weather Service said rainfall rates may approach a half-inch an hour at times in Connecticut. The heaviest rain in Connecticut will be from 6 p.m. until midnight, the weather service said. The rain will taper off during the overnight hours.

"As the system pulls away tonight into Thursday, gusty winds will develop in its wake. Winds will gust to around 45 mph under a mostly cloudy sky. Breezy conditions will continue into Friday before winds diminish Friday night as high pressure builds into the region," the weather service said.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook is in effect for the entire state. The weather service said in Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties, "An area of rain will push across the area this afternoon, with heavy rainfall moving across tonight. Gusty east winds may produce isolated downed tree limbs and power lines.

"Rain will linger across the area on Thursday. Winds will shift to west with gusts up to 35 to 40 mph through the day, then will diminish Thursday night. Another area of low pressure may bring more rainfall across the area Monday afternoon through Tuesday."

For Litchfield County, the weather service said, "A widespread soaking rainfall of two to four inches is likely this afternoon into Thursday with brisk winds. The rainfall may become locally heavy which may yield some poor drainage flooding of low lying areas, and ponding of water on roadways. Leaves, twigs, trash and other debris could clog some drains and produce some nuisance flooding. If confidence increases for the potential of widespread flooding, then a flood watch may be issued later today. Southeast winds could gust 35 to 45 mph tonight before shifting to the northwest ... Some localized wind gusts could approach 40 to 50 mph on Thursday and if confidence increases for damaging winds, a wind advisory may be needed."

Here is what Connecticut's weather experts are saying concerning this storm:

WTNH News 8 Chief Meteorologist Gil Simmons said, "dry weather through mid day today and some sun giving way to cloudiness. It will be dry at lunchtime. Spotty rain showing up this afternoon but turning heavy for the evening commute. Highs today in the 60s and I do expect a slow evening commute. Very heavy rain and strong wind gusts this evening and overnight tonight. There could be some scattered power outages. Some coastal flooding too! Not a lot of rain tomorrow, but it will be windy! Highs in the 50s...clearing and nice for the weekend!"

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