Politics & Government

Updated: Reports Of Lightning Striking Houses, People Around State In Wake Of Severe Storm

Special marine warning issued. Metro-North reported delays. Lightning strikes may be cause of house fires in Killingworth, Westport. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Watch in effect until 2 p.m.

  reported at 10:56 a.m.:

A house in Stonington suffered damage after being hit by lightning this morning. According to the a house near Wamphassuc Point was struck by lightning in this morning thunderstorms. The police department reported there were no injuries. The Westerly Sun is reporting that in North Stonington several people were struck by lighting at the Lake of Isles Golf Club. Several people were transported to Westerly Hospital.

Metro-North has reported that its New Haven Line Service is now operating on or close to schedule.  "We apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced as a result of this incident," it said on its Twitter Feed. 

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ryan Hanrahan ‏@ryanhanrahan reported on Twitter that: "Over 10,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes across Connecticut this morning. Impressive." He said the number of lightning strikes was not necessarily above average for a storm, but that this storm did have a wide impact on a large number of towns across the state. He also reported around 1:22 p.m. that "Strengthening storm ascending the Taconics and moving into Berkshires. More storms developing to south will impact us."

WFSB reported around 6:27 p.m. Tuesday that at least two people were struck by lightning at a campground in Bozrah.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Update as of 9 a.m.:

A house fire has been reported in Killingworth, CT, just north of Madison. . Madison Hose Co. No. 1, the volunteer fire company in the south end of Madison, provided mutual aid as well. "We brought a ladder truck and a tanker truck and went to work for them," said Madison Hose Co. No. 1 Captain Robert Kyttle.

There also has been a report of a lightning strike causing a house fire in Westport, CT, in Fairfield County.

In the south end of Madison, there was a report of a fire alarm on Woodland Road in Concord Meadows Retirement Community, and a report of a fire on River Edge Farms Road, both at the height of the storm. It was not immediately clear whether either of those were related to the storm.

An urban and small stream flood advisory also was issued by the National Weather Service.

"Minor flooding means that although streams and creeks may rise out of their banks, property damage will be minimal," the NWS says. "Inconveniences can be expected but the flooding will not be immediately life threatening. Be prepared to take action if the flooding threat increases or a warning is issued."

Metro-North is now reporting delays of up to 20 to 30 minutes on the New Haven Line due to damage from the storm.

Original story:

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 2 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service says.

"A cold front will pass through the region today, resulting in widespread showers and thunder storms. A few storms may be strong to marginally severe, with strong wind gusts as the main threat. Heavy rain, with totals between 3/4 and a little over 1 inch is expected. Localized areas may see higher amounts in a short period of time that could result in possible urban flooding. Isolated flash flooding will be possible as well," the NWS says.

At 6:49 a.m., the NWS was reporting a line of strong thunderstorms affecting Fairfield, Putnam, Westchester, and Western New Haven counties, moving east at 35 mph. "Winds of up to 40 mph are expected with these storms. In addition, very heavy reain is occurring with these storms. This could cause ponding of water on roadways and minor flooding of poor drainage areas."

The NWS also issued this reminder: "Lightning is one of nature's number one killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter immediately."

CTDESPP/DEMHS ‏@CTDEMHS reported on Twitter at 8:00 a.m. that "NWS has issued a Special Marine Warning in Long Island Sound - Boaters take cover."

Metro-North is reporting delays on its New Haven line as of 8:43 a.m. "New Haven Line Service is currently experiencing delays of 10 to 15 minutes due to wire damage in the vicinity of Southport."

Alan Chaniewski ‏@NewsEyeFoxCt reported on Twitter around 7:50 a.m., "Getting hammered here in waterbury with white out conditions with the rain and severe lightning."

Ryan Hanrahan ‏@ryanhanrahan on Twitter reported around 7:50 a.m., "Storm in Litchfield County has weakened some. New cells firing east in Farmington Valley and line in Fairfield Co looks strong."

For the rest of the week, the NWS says, there is the possibility of showers and thunderstorms on and off.

"A few storms may be strong to marginally severe, with strong wind gusts as the main threat," the NWS says. "Heavy rain, with totals between 3/4 and a littl over 1 inch is also expected. Localized areas may see higher amounts in a short period of time that could result in possible urban flooding. Isolated flash flooding will still be possible."

The forecast for the Madison shoreline and Clinton is as follows:

Overnight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. High near 71. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers after 3am. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

The forecast for North Madison, Killingworth and areas north is as follows:

Overnight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 65. Southwest wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. High near 70. South wind between 8 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers after 3am. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. North wind between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.


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