*** Paul Piorek is editor and publisher of Paul's Local Weather Journal for southwestern Connecticut ... Paul is the on-air meteorologist at WICC 600 AM and 107.3 FM ... Paul is a New York Emmy award winner (2007), five-time Emmy nominee, and four-time winner of the Connecticut Associated Press Broadcasters' Association award for Best TV Weathercast (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012) ... Paul was voted Best Local Television Personality by the readers of Fairfield County Weekly Magazine (2012) ... Paul was inducted into the Housatonic Community College Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni Award (2012) ... The local weather journal is a two-time winner of the Communicator Award of Distinction (2012 & 2013) ... Paul is currently a full-time teacher of Earth Science and Mathematics in Fairfield ... Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulPiorekWICC ...

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Today Marks Fifth Anniversary of Greenwich Tornado

A Heat Advisory is in effect from 12 noon through 9 o'clock this evening for heat index values of 100 degrees or better. The hot and humid weather will continue for one more day before much less humid air arrives by tomorrow. This time of the year is ripe for severe weather. In fact, one of the most unforgettable storms occurred late in the day on Wednesday, July 12, through early Thursday, July 13, 2006.

A "tornadic-like" thunderstorm roared through the region late in the afternoon, delivering strong winds, heavy rains, and violent lightning. Meteorologists from the National Weather service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Greenwich. The photos below show the damage produced by the storm in "The Gateway to New England."


The most severe damage in southwestern Connecticut occurred on John Street in Old Greenwich. That's where residents said they saw a tornado touch down. Trees and utility poles were toppled, blocking access to John Street and several other roads, including Round Hill Road.


One witness says she looked out her window and saw a funnel cloud tearing its way through Riversville Road. The fallen trees created quite a mess in the area, forcing some residents to leave their cars on the roads and walk home. Crews remained on the scene for quite some time attempting to clear out the fallen trees.



Although a thunderstorm is possible later this afternoon as a cold front approaches from the West, it shouldn't be too severe. The front will usher much less humid air into southwestern Connecticut. The rest of the week and the beginning of the weekend will be just about perfect for this time of the year. It could be a lot worse, though. Just think back five years ago today.

Paul