Storm System Leaves More Than 200 Without Power in East Haven

Update at 12:55 a.m. Wednesday

East Haven may have once again been spared the full brunt of the severe weather that moved through the region Tuesday.

But the storm system's heavy winds and rain still took their toll, leaving in its wake more than 200 in town without power as of early Wednesday morning.

According to United Illuminating's outage map, 206 of the company's 12,980 customers in East Haven are now without power. That translates to just over 1.5 percent of the town.

A total of 8,322 UI customers were reporting they were powerless as of 1 a.m. on Wednesday. That's about 2.6 percent of the company's 320,150 service area — with the towns of Fairfield, Milford and Bridgeport the hardest hit.

There are three separate power outages reported in East Haven: two near the shoreline — including one just off Short Beach Road near the Branford town line that currently accounts for 203 customers — and one in Foxon off Charnes Road that has left 43 without electricity.

UI is reporting the estimated time for restoration on all three interuptions is Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

East Haven Patch will provide additional information on the outages as it becomes available.

Update at 10:24 p.m.

The tornado watch has been cancelled for East Haven and the rest of New Haven County.

However, the severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings remain in effect until 11:15 p.m.

And a coastal flood advisory, as well as the wind advisory, are in effect until early Wednesday morning.

Update at 9:52 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for East Haven, as well as much of the rest of the shoreline.

The warning will remain in effect until 11:15 p.m. this evening.

In addition, a coastal flood advisory is in effect until early tomorrow morning.

Update at 9:02 p.m.

East Haven resident Don DiGiovanni — the father of EHP blogger Nick DiGiovanni — reported via his Twitter account that the 55 mile per hour gust recorded at the town beach a short time ago, was stronger than the highest wind recorded there during Tropical Storm Irene last fall: 52 miles per hour.

UPDATE at 8:31 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for East Haven, and the rest of New Haven County.

In addition, a flood advisory has also been issued in relation to this line of storms.

The weather service reports a line of torrential rain extending from Putnam County in New York to southern New Jersey was "moving slowly east."

Individual showers and thunderstorms in this line will move northeast at over 50 miles per hour," the meteorologist stated in their report.

The service added that rainfall raits between 1 to 2 inches are possible.

"Motorists can expect greatly reduced visibilities, ponding and potential hydroplaning," they reported.

Both warninga are in effect until 9:15 p.m.

UPDATE at 7:20 p.m.

As the long line of strong storms begins its shoreline approach, United Illumnating is now reporting that only one East Haven customer is without power.

The number had been as high as 168 earlier this evening.

The worst portion of the storm, however, has yet to reach the area. East Haven Patch blogger Nick DiGiovanni just reported via his Twitter account that a gust at the town beach just reached 54 miles per hour.

East Haven Patch will continue to provide updates on power outages and weather-related events, as the evening moves forward.

UPDATE at 4:35 p.m.

A coastal flood advisory has also been issued for East Haven, and most of the shoreline.

The National Weather Service reports there will be a chance of minor coastal flooding tonight around the high tide, which will occur just before 2 a.m.

Additionally, the meteorologists warn there will be a high rip current risk throughout the night tonight.

Update at 4:15 p.m.

As the winds kick up across the shoreline late this afternoon, United Illuminating is reporting 167 customers, or just about 1.3 percent of the town, is now without power.

East Haven currently has the largest number of outages in the utility company's coverage area.

In addition, the state Department of Transportation issued an alert at 4:17 p.m. reporting a tree across the Metro-North line in Norwalk, and that the Danbury branch of the line is closed as a result.

Metro-North officials said around 2:30 p.m. that New Haven Line customers could experience delays of 20-30 minutes in both directions due to a downed tree in the vicinity of Fordham, N.Y.

They also said around 3:20 p.m. that the New Haven Line Service will also experience delays both ways due to wire damage in the vicinity of Pelham. They are asking riders to listen for announcements at stations.

East Haven Patch will continue to provide updates as tonight's weather-related events occur.

UPDATE at 3:45 p.m.

With the most wicked of weather still on its way, the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for East Haven, as well as the rest of New Haven County.

The watch, which also covers the western portion of the state, will remain in effect until 11 p.m. this evening.

The wind advisory also remains in effect until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

ORIGINAL STORY (Posted at 8 a.m.)

It appears that Mother Nature has at least one more severe weather event up her sleeve as the summer season comes to an end later this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for East Haven, as well as much of the the rest of the state.

The advisory will be in effect from noon today until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Downed Trees, Power Outages

Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 50 miles per hour or more, with sustained winds of some 20 to 30 miles per hour throughout the day today.

The weather service warns the high winds could lead to downed limbs and trees in, as well as scattered power outages.

"This potential will be enhanced in areas of heavy showers or thunderstorms," the meteorologists reported.

'Isolated Tornado' Possible

In a hazardous weather outlook alert also issued for today, the weather service warns today's storm system could also bring with it "heavy rainfall with isolated flash flooding."

"Local severe storms with damaging wind gusts and possibly an isolated tornado," the meterologists stated in their report, adding minor coastal flooding is also possible.

The nasty weather is expected to be at its height late this afternoon in to the early morning hours tomorrow.

Extended Forecast

Today's high is expected to reach about 75 degrees. Tomorrow the rain and the clouds are expected to clear out by the early afternoon, with a high of 71.

And Thursday is expected to be a picture-perfect last summer day: sunny and 75 degrees — a weather trend that is expected to continue into at least Saturday night.