The National Weather Service confirms a tornado touched down on the west side of Woodstock on Saturday morning. According to officials, the category EF-0 tornado started in western Woodstock and ended in the Quinebaug area of Thompson and had winds estimated at 80 miles per hour. It damaged two cornfields and split an oak tree in two. Officials estimate the path is the length of one block with a width of eight yards.
The storm also brought down multiple trees and wires across the state. Meteorologist Josh Cingranelli reported trees down in the area of Route 198 in Woodstock. Photos from residents there also showed damage along Route 169.
The intersection of Route 197 and 198 in Woodstock was closed after a tree and wires came down on Route 198, fire officials said.
Thousands of outages were reported. At one point, over three thousand customers were without power, according to Eversource.
Vernon Police said there was a lightning strike in the area of Hartford Turnpike and Tunnel Road and live wires and a tree came down. Hartford Turnpike was closed from Coldspring Drive to West Road. There was no vehicle or pedestrian access in the area due to safety concerns and residents were asked to avoid the area.
Old Mountain Road in Farmington was closed between Route 4 and Timberline Road after a powerline came down. Eversource was at the scene. Motorists were urged to use Oakland Avenue as a detour. The road has since reopened.
A tornado warning was issued for parts of Tolland and Windham counties, but has since expired.
Local
Right over the border in Webster, Mass., trees were seen across roadways, utility poles were snapped and power lines were down. Our crew saw a gas station that had its roof ripped off and traffic signs that were damaged.
The National Weather Service sent a crew to Webster to survey the damage. They have confirmed that separate category EF-1 tornado with winds of 110 miles per hour touched down in Webster.
One woman was injured by flying debris while driving down Main Street.
On Saturday afternoon, officials ordered three heavily damaged buildings be torn down immediately for public safety.
Residents and business owners are working to pick up the pieces. The American Red Cross is providing temporary housing to an estimated 30 to 50 people.
