Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Watch Issued, Tornadoes Possible

Avon Recreation and Parks Department's swim team will not have its meet in Farmington Thursday night due to the severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning the National Weather Service has issued for northern Connecticut.

The meet has been rescheduled to the Farmington Field Club on Monday at 5 p.m.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop across Avon and the region after 4 p.m. bringing the potential for periods of severe weather. The intensity of the storm is expected to gradually increase from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the most sever weather expected later tonight, according to the NWS.

The town of Avon has not opened its emergency operations center at this time, but town officials are monitoring the weather incase it is necessary, Avon Fire Marshal James DiPace wrote in an email to Patch.

The state is partially opening its emergency operations center, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced in a press release this afternoon.

“After assessing the situation with emergency management officials, I have directed a partial activation of the EOC beginning at 3:30 today,” Malloy said in the release. “This will allow us to better coordinate with municipalities and state agencies, and respond quickly should we have power outages or other damage from these potential storms. I encourage Connecticut residents to closely monitor weather conditions throughout the day and evening, and take proper precautions to stay safe.”

His office released the following thunderstorm safety tips.

• Watch the sky for approaching dark clouds, increasing winds, and flashes of light.

• If thunder can be heard, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning, and you should take shelter immediately.

• Keep up to date on weather forecasts through local TV broadcasts and radio.

• Avoid using electrical equipment/appliances, and preferably unplug things such as televisions, air conditioners, and computers. Electrical lines are excellent conductors of electricity.

• Do not take baths or showers during storms, as water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Use as little water as possible during storms.

• Draw blinds and shades over windows as a precaution to prevent windows shattering into your home, should they be broken by blowing debris.

• Stay away from all types of bodies of water. If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately. 

• Secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, that could blow away or cause damage or injury.

The NWS has also issued a flash flood watch that will be in effect from 4 p.m. until Friday morning.

"Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches are possible within a short period of time," the hazardous weather report said.

Heavy rain could cause significant flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as flooding in areas with small streams. The storms could be accompanied by strong winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning, according to the report.

The warning includes a chance of isolated tornadoes across western Massachussetts and northern Connecticut.

If you are running an event in Avon that's canceled, post it in the comments or as an announcement (avon.patch.com/announcement/new).