BERLIN, Conn. (WTIC Radio)_ Eversource crews are working to restore power to tens of thousands of customers after severe Thursday afternoon storms.
The storms forced mass power outages and road closures throughout communities in Litchfield, New Haven, and Middlesex counties. Eversource is sending a mobile command unit to hard-hit Branford, where 99% of the town was without power at the peak of the outages.
Firefighters in Westport say a tree took down live power lines when it fell on an occupied vehicle. The driver was trapped inside. Emergency responders were able to instruct the driver to remain in place until Eversource was able to de-energize the line. Once de-energized, crews were able to remove the occupant safely.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings, but no tornadoes have been confirmed.
As of 1 a.m., Eversource says 24,400 customers remain without power.