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A serious stormand possibly a tornado ripped through Bridgeport this afternoon, forcing Mayor Bill Finch to declare a state of emergency. Several buildings collapsed, trees and power lines were down, but no serious injuries were reported, according to reports by WTNH and the Associated Press. A tractor-trailer accident on 95 south, between exits 29 and 27, was also said to be storm-related.
In Fairfield County, CL& P reports that severe wind, rain and lightning caused power outages to nearly 4,000 customers. In Greenwich, 291 homes lost power, Westport 245, Weston, 436, Wilton 77. United Illuminating, which provides power to parts of Fairfield County as well as to other Connecticut counties, reports 17,000 customers have lost power.
With trees and lines down in many communities, UI spokesman Al Carbone said, "The most important thing right now is to get things safe."
Norwalk police said two K-9 units were sent to Bridgeport to assist in the search of damaged buildings. They were coordinating their efforts with the Bridgeport police and had no further information at this time, a Norwalk police spokesman said.
Eyewitness Beth Loraine Bowman said officers from the Bridgeport Fire Department were evacuating patrons from the restaurant where she was standing out of fear the roof could collapse. Bowman, who was in Bridgeport on a two day business trip, said the storm hit rapidly and severely. Trees fell, branches blew past the windows and the streets were covered with shattered glass, she said. "I don't think there is a building in the area that doesn't have shattered windows," she said. "It looks like a war zone."
Finch declared the state of emergency and imposed a 5:30 p.m. curfew. Everyone is to be off the streets by that time. "Please stay calm," he said.
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