BRANFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont sends 100 National Guard Response Force members and two search and rescue teams to Branford and East Haven.
At a press conference around 6.30 p.m., he said “the cavalry is on the way”.
Lamont said Branford was hit the hardest, and East Haven and North Haven sustained significant damage and cut down trees and power lines in the severe storm that devastated the area.
As dangerous thunderstorm cells swept through Branford with gusts of wind that would have reached 90 mph, Eversource first reported that virtually the entire town was without power around 4:30 p.m.
Lamont later said that 15,000 of Branford’s 16,500 Eversource customers are tied to a substation and if it is brought back online, many will find power again. But he added that he couldn’t make any promises for Eversource. Cardinals can help launchers
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Branford Police Department captain David Galdenzi told Patch by text message that “more roads closed now than open and trees felled everywhere.”
And there’s a video of fires, likely related to downed live power lines.
Branford Firefighters posted a reminder on Facebook to avoid the broken cables, which may be live.
Galdenzi said people should: “Stay at home or in the office and away if possible to allow for medical and emergency personnel.”
In East Haven, Mayor Joe Carfora called on people to stay safe and at home if possible.
And East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli told Patch there were “people trapped in cars, under trees and unable to get out of their homes.”
Marcarelli said the National Guard will provide “logistical support and heavy equipment as well as urban search and rescue teams to help search for homes in the area beyond what we may be able to handle. “.
Marcarelli said no serious injuries were reported as of 9 p.m.,
but getting to the medical emergency room was difficult at best for first responders with so many trees, branches and lowered cables. And he said East Haven, Branford and the neighboring towns that usually depend on each other to help each other are all in the same boat.
“All the other towns in the region have been taxed,” he said. The cities we use for mutual aid are in the same situation. ”
East Haven Police Captain Joseph M.
Murgo said trees were being felled throughout the city, some “in homes”.
We urge everyone to stay off the roads as emergency crews make the streets safe again, ”he said, adding that people should report unsafe conditions to police and stay away. away from fallen power lines. ” And be sure to check out the ones you like, ”he says.
Murgo said East Haven police, firefighters, rescuers and public works crews would work through the night.
Branford is in the dark tonight, the whole town
Eversource spokesperson Mitch Gross told Patch that while there were “reports of tornadic activity a few hours ago from Hamden and North Haven to Branford … weather experts will have to confirm that. We have teams working where it is safe to do so, and we are moving other teams to the worst affected areas. ”
There was a report of a tornado around 4 p.m. in North Haven and Branford. Galdenzi said he could not confirm that a tornado has swept through the city.
But many on social media report seeing a cloud funnel, especially to and from I-95.
Praying for all those in these towns that were hit especially hard by this storm. 99% of is without power & there is a significant amount of damage with more streets currently closed than open. Be safe. Stay clear of downed lines and wires and call 911 if you need help.
— Christine Cohen (@SenatorCohenCT)