A series of thunderstorms and a possible tornado caused a path of destruction and a number of injuries across the New York City area Thursday, officials said.
Bridgeport (CT) Mayor Bill Finch issued a state of emergency in the afternoon after a severe storm cause widespread damage throughout the Bridgeport area.
There are reports that a tornado ripped through the area, however that has not been confirmed by the National Weather Service.
A tornado warning was issued for the area around 2:30 p.m.
Finch says multiple injuries have been reported, however so far, no fatalities. He says there are blown out windows, uprooted trees and facades ripped off buildings.
Many are posting photos on Twitter depicting a path of destruction that flooded streets, downed trees and destroyed street signs.
There are some reports of partial collapses of buildings in Connecticut and Long Island.
Celeste Beccalori of Douglas Manor, in Northeast Queens, says her quaint community nestled on Little Neck Bay looks like a “war zone” after this afternoon’s sudden thunderstorm.
A tree crashed through a skylight into her dining room, and more trees are blocking the street outside her home at 345 Kenmore Road.
Beccalori says West Drive, the single-road entryway into the Manor, is also littered with trees.
The afternoon storms also caused headaches for commuters on the Long Island Rail Road.
MTA officials confirm service on the Port Washington branch and the Oyster branch has been suspended.
The Jamaica-bound 2:37 p.m. train from Oyster Bay, due at 3:34 p.m., was being held because of a tree down west of Albertson. The Penn Station-bound 3:11 p.m. train from Ronkonkoma, due in at 4:34 p.m., was held west of Deer Park because of a tree down in Pinelawn, the LIRR said.
The Long Island Power Authority says more than 23-thousand customers are currently without power — most are located in Hempstead.
(Source: WPIX)