An image showing storm damage in Seymour. It was posted on the Citizens’ Engine Co. No. 2 Facebook page.
The National Weather Service issued a statement late Wednesday saying that tornadoes touched down in Beacon Falls and Oxford Tuesday.
The Beacon Falls tornado had winds of 110 mph and moved along a 9.5 mile path between Beacon Falls and Hamden, according to the National Weather Service.
The Oxford twister had 100 mph winds and moved along a path of 4.5 miles. They didn’t give a precise location, but said it moved into Southbury. More detailed info could be released Thursday.
Meanwhile, storm wreckage and the loss of electricity forced officials in Oxford and Seymour to cancel schools Thursday.
Derby Public Schools will have a 2‑hour delayed opening Thursday. Parents should closely monitor TV and radio Thursday morning to make sure the delay does not change.
While Tuesday evening’s storm did little damage in Derby compared to Oxford and Seymour, downed trees and wires have forced several roads to close, including a section of Hawthorne Avenue near North Avenue and much of the area around Silver Hill Road.
Derby Superintendent Matthew Conway said 16 bus stops are inaccessible. The 2‑hour delayed opening will give school leaders a chance to reassess the situation Thursday morning. The hope is that crews will clean the mess.
UPDATE, 7 a.m. Thursday: Derby schools remain on 2‑hour delay, according to Derby School Superintendent Matthew Conway:
“There have been no changes to our road issues overnight,” he said.
Sixteen bus stops are inaccessible due to storm damage. The district will be asking some families to make alternate arrangements to get their children to school.
“Students who cannot make it in due to road closures will be excused. Nature’s Classroom field trip will take place as planned.”
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In Seymour, town residents are being advised power may not be fully restored for several days. While portions of the South Main Street area came back online Wednesday night, the vast majority of Seymour was still in the dark as of 8:30 p.m.
Click the play button below to listen to storm-related info from Wednesday evening, including an interview with Seymour Deputy Fire Marshal Timm Willis.
According to the Eversource website, 97 percent of Seymour customers were still without power. That number did change all day Wednesday.
As a result, the town announced Seymour Middle School at 211 Mountain Ave. will open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday as a place to charge small electronics and get washed up.
“Additionally, the Valley YMCA in Ansonia has opened their facilities to the public for bathing and charging,” according to a Code Red automated phone message from the Town of Seymour.
The Valley YMCA is at 12 State St. The phone number is 203.736.9622. Click here for directions.
Seymour officials said that several large transmission lines — along with electrical substations — were damaged during the storm. That’s why town officials are bracing residents for a potentially long power outage.
“We should have a more accurate estimate tomorrow for power restoration but current estimates are that it may be several days for large portions of the town,” according to the message from the town.
Town leaders in Oxford are also telling residents it could be awhile before the lights work again.
Quaker Farms School at 30 Great Oak Road is to be open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday as an emergency shelter, according to a message from First Selectman George Temple.
“The shelter will provide showers, light refreshments, water and phone charging,” Temple said.
