Bridgeport Storms, Tornado?

A fast-moving line of storms containing a supercell left a path of destruction through Bridgeport. The damage was so extensive, Bridgeport declared a state of emergency. After the storm 30,000 people were without power statewide. Sikorsky Airport in Bridgeport reported wind gusts up to 78 mph which may be the strongest gust since Hurricane Gloria. Trees were snapped in half or uprooted, a billboard fell on top of a building and the old Stratfield Hotel has also partially collapsed.

The National Weather Service will be investigating the damage on Friday. They will determine if destruction from the severe weather was caused by a tornado or straight line winds. Straight-line wind damage will push debris in the same direction the wind is blowing (hence the creation of the term straight-line). Tornado damage will scatter the debris in a variety of different directions since the winds of a tornado are rotating violently.
Here is a great link explaining/showing the evaluation process.

Thanks to the magic of the Internet, you can find home videos of the storm passing through.


Here is a collection of YouTube videos I found:

Bridgeport--this person had to stop filming due to the high winds

This one is just entertaining...not for kids (obscenities)

The storm damage is incredible, check out this video:


My storm re-cap:

Narmeen reports on the city response to the storm:


Outtage Updates:
CL&P
UI