Strong Wind Gusts Cause Power Outages Throughout State

Strong wind gusts are causing power outages throughout the state as tree limbs and power lines come down.

Nearly 8,000 Eversource Energy customers were without power as of 5 p.m. Vernon had 697 reported outages, West Hartford had 518 and Hartford had 1,646. Farther upstate Thompson had 1,210 outages and Putnam had 546.

A loose power line closed Buckland Road at Route 30 in South Windsor during the late afternoon.

Those traveling today and tomorrow should be wary of fallen trees and power lines caused by high winds.

Wind gusts reached 44 mph in Windsor Locks, 51 mph in Greenwich and 32 mph in Meriden.

NBC Connecticut meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan said on Facebook, “Winds are picking up across the state with a gust to 44 mph at BDL and 51 mph in Greenwich. A few trees and power lines will likely come down this evening.”

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory that will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday in Tolland and Hartford counties.

Gusts can reach up to 45 mph during that time, according to the NWS. Sustained winds will be between 20 to 30 mph.

The NWS predicts that small tree limbs and branches can fall, causing isolated power outages. Driving high-profile vehicles may be difficult as well.

Image via South Windsor PD/Twitter