Strong winds following heavy rain brought down trees throughout West Hartford, and a number of roads are impassable.

North Quaker just north of Fern Street. Courtesy of DPW Director John Phillips

By Ronni Newton

A storm that intensified very quickly brought torrential rain, followed by strong wind, to West Hartford and the rest of the state late Wednesday and overnight, downing limbs, entire trees, and power lines, and coating roadways with a carpet of colorful but slippery leaves.

Meteorologists used the term bombogenesis to describe the storm’s rapid strengthening.

While many residents woke up to find a mess, Fire Chief Greg Priest said there are many trees and wires down throughout town, but no reported injuries in the West Hartford community.

Traffic signals are out at several locations as well.

“West Hartford Police, Fire, and Public Works are actively working with Eversource to assist with identifying and mitigating hazards,” Priest said. 

Several major roadways are closed – and will remain closed for several more hours – and will impact the morning commute. Trees and wires are down and roads are closed at the following locations:

• 1439 Boulevard. No access eastbound from Trout Brook Drive
• 193 North Quaker. Impassable in both directions.
• Asylum Avenue at North Quaker. Intersection closed in all directions.
• 75 Shadow Lane is impassable.
• 25 Knollwood Road is impassable.

Many other secondary roads also have downed trees and wires, and are being addressed as well.

Public Works crews are working extremely hard to clear roadways as quickly as possible, Priest added.

“Community members are reminded to be vigilant when driving and to stay away from any wires or trees with wires in them,” Priest said.

When faced with downed wires and a loss of power, the fire department urged all to:

• Assume all wires are live and downright dangerous
• Avoid downed power lines & assume they are live
• Call your utility company to report power outages
• Keep generators outside & away from building

In addition, Public Works Director John Phillips warned motorists to be careful driving on roadways coated with wet leaves.

As of 7 a.m., Eversource reported 900 customers (3.13 percent) in West Hartford were without power. Statewide, more than 37,000 Eversource customers were in the dark.

A wind advisory remains in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday.

Just as the winds were picking up, West Hartford Fire Department crews responded to a tractor-trailer crash on I-84.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!

Westland. Photo credit: Battalion Chief Eric Munsell

Rumford Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

North Quaker just north of Fern Street. Courtesy of DPW Director John Phillips

North Quaker just north of Fern Street. Courtesy of DPW Director John Phillips

Motorists are urged to use caution when driving on roads coated by wet leaves. Courtesy of DPW Director John Phillips

Jackknifed tractor trailer on I-84. Photo credit: Battalion Chief Eric Munsell