WOODSTOCK - A strong thunderstorm cell moved through Tolland and Windham counties just before 10 o'clock this morning, triggering a tornado warning and causing damage in the Windham County town of Woodstock and in towns just over the border into Massachusetts.
The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday that a separate tornado touched down in Woodstock, damaging two corn fields and splitting an oak tree in two. Officials said that initial estimates of the path length of one block and a width of 8 yards. Another tornado was confirmed to touched down in Webster, MA, just over the CT border.
According to the National Weather Service, the New England region has had a total of 12 tornadoes this year. That is the same amount as the state of Oklahoma. Connecticut has had six tornadoes.
Connecticut State Police Troop D says they have numerous reports of trees down in their area, primarily along Route 198 in Woodstock, which is closed at the intersection with Route 197. State police also say some cars hydroplaned in the heavy downpours. So far, none of the accidents are reported to be severe. Woodstock fire officials tell FOX61's Mike Howard that some trees and power lines have come down, but they've not had reports of severe damage so far. Eversource reports about 1500 customers (out of ~4000) in Woodstock are without power.
The tornado warning for Connecticut was canceled at 10 a.m. The state remains under a flash flood watch until 5 p.m. Saturday. The full forecast can be found here.
The strong storms have also shut down part of a road in Vernon. Police there say Hartford Turnpike (Route 30) is shut down between Cold Spring Drive and West Road because a lightning strike took down a utility pole just before 10 a.m. There are live wires on the ground, and police have closed the area to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Police sent out a reverse 911 call to area residents urging them to avoid the area and check their electrical panels for any problems.
Old Mountain Road in Farmington near Route 4 was closed due to downed power lines.
