Extreme Heat Wave, Severe Storms, and Wildfire Smoke Cause Widespread Disruptions Across Connecticut

Heat Advisory in effect; severe storms on July 4th caused nearly 100,000 power outages. New severe thunderstorms on July 5 brought golf ball sized hail, straight-line winds up to 56 mph, and widespread damage. As of July 8, outages under 600; phase 2 debris cleanup and food waste management underway. Lamont asks towns to document costs for FEMA aid. Eversource faces scrutiny over preparedness; I-Team investigation revealed no in-house meteorologist and use of a 30-hour-old storm model. Gubernatorial hopefuls Fazio and Elliott are slamming Lamont and Eversource over storm response, while Lamont points to new performance-based regulations. New thunderstorm watch for July 17 passed; another round of strong storms possible Tuesday into Wednesday (July 20-21) with Level 2 risk, damaging winds, hail, isolated tornado, and potential training storms causing localized flooding. Eversource pre-staging crews. Hawk's Landing Golf Course in Southington shut down indefinitely after 150+ trees down. River bacteria warnings issued for Connecticut River. Cooling centers still open; extreme hot weather protocol active. CT officials warn of repair scams. One person hospitalized in New Britain after being struck by a falling tree. Another heat wave expected next week with heat index near 100. Additionally, Canadian wildfire smoke is deteriorating air quality, with DEEP advising N95 masks and limiting outdoor activities through the weekend. Flash flooding on July 20-21 caused road closures, power outages, and submerged cars in Fairfield County, Westport, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, Middletown. Tornado watch was active. An EF0 tornado confirmed near Greenwich. Bridgeport firefighters rescued 39 children from flooded daycare. Nearly $53M in federal funding approved for farm recovery. New flood risk forecast for Tuesday/Wednesday with potential 1-7+ inches of rain. A new flood watch has been issued for most of Connecticut as a slow-moving system could bring 2-4 inches, locally 6+ inches, with flash flooding possible. Climate resilience hubs are advancing in Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport.