A fast-moving storm shut down approximately 45 roads as it knocked down trees and power lines across town on Saturday night, July 4.

By noon Monday, the town was down to five or six closed roads, according to Public Works Director Fred Hurley.

"They did a good job getting things open," said Hurley.

The series of storms, which left more than 100,000 people without power in Connecticut, struck communities from eastern New York to Rhode Island, according to Bryce Williams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“We had a complex of storms move through the southern half of southern New England on the Fourth of July,” Williams said. “We had a few kind of supercell-looking storms … and behind them we had a strong line of storms which produced quite a bit of wind damage, in addition to some large hail.”

Williams said wind speeds were generally estimated to have hit anywhere between 50 to 65 miles per hour. This, along with the hail, caused widespread damage in several parts of Connecticut.

There were reports of 3-inch and 1.25-inch hail in the areas of Bristol, Plainville, and New Britain, according to Williams. While the official numbers are not yet verified, the largest hail Connecticut had recorded before Saturday was 2.75 inches, which first set the record during a 1969 storm, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.

“We could not find any reports of any 3-inch hail since we’ve been keeping records, so there’s potential that it could be one of the biggest hailstorms recorded in Connecticut,” Williams said.

The last time Connecticut saw hail that size was in 1995, when a storm met the previous record of 2.75 inches.

While Newtown did not see any hail, it did see 1,100 to 1,200 power outages, somewhere around 15% of households. Only one traffic light was affected and a few streetlights were without power. Newtown was fortunate to not see a lot of "heavy damage," according to Hurley.

Hurley said that originally town and Eversource officials were going to set up a command center at Fairfield Hills, but in the end it was decided it was not necessary. While there were still a few outages as of Wednesday morning, most of the town was restored by Monday and Tuesday.

"They (Eversource) knocked out 50% of the outages in the first 24 hours," said Hurley.

As of Tuesday, only one road was still closed, Honey Lane, and Public Works teams continued with debris removal and conducting final safety checks.

First Selectman Bruce Walczak, in a letter to the editor this week, stated, "The recent storm was one of the hardest moments our town has faced in a long time. It arrived suddenly, struck far more widely than expected, and left a trail of disruption that touched thousands of lives.

"More than 60 roads were blocked, neighborhoods were cut off, and over 1,000 residents were without power for three days or longer," stated Walczak. "Some families are still waiting for full restoration. For many, this storm wasn’t just an inconvenience — it upended daily life, created real worry, and tested our patience and resilience."

Walczak also expressed gratitude to the town departments that "stepped up."

"Our Police Department, Public Works crews, Emergency Communications staff, Community Center team, Health Department, and Eversource worked through the holiday weekend, in the rain, and through the night," said Walczak. "They cleared roads, restored services, opened facilities, and supported residents with unwavering dedication. Their commitment was extraordinary, and I am profoundly grateful for their service."

In the aftermath of the storm, AAA Northeast offered the following tips to homeowners on assessing damage after a storm:

A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover structural damage caused by a fallen tree as well as the structure’s contents. But an additional, separate flood insurance policy may be required for damage caused by water intrusion.

If a tree damages someone’s car, it should be covered if they carry comprehensive coverage. Liability-only policies would not qualify.

If a neighbor’s tree falls and damages someone’s property, their own insurance would generally cover the damage, and they need to file a claim with their insurance company. In these cases, the neighbors were not necessarily negligent; it was the storm that caused the tree to fall. However, neighbors may be held liable if the tree was knowingly in poor condition or deteriorating.

If a tree falls on someone’s property but doesn’t damage any structure, their home insurance policy might not cover debris removal except in some situations, such as a blocked driveway or accessibility structure.

While assessing damage outside the home, look for missing shingles, gutter parts, roof flashing, and other materials that could indicate roof damage not visible from the ground.

Look closely at ceilings and walls for signs of water seepage. Check attics, basements, crawl spaces, and other non-living spaces for leaks. Document any damage with photos.

With hurricane season underway, AAA also encourages homeowners to review insurance policies as part of their hurricane prep. Many homeowners don’t realize that hurricane deductibles can differ from regular insurance deductibles. Instead of a fixed amount, they can be based on a percentage of the home’s assessed value.

Take steps to fortify one’s property to limit damage. The best way to avoid filing an insurance claim is to mitigate the potential for severe damage. AAA’s Hurricane Preparation Guide provides a comprehensive checklist. Some essential tips include:

*Caulk gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and vents.

*Anchor outdoor furniture or make sure it can be brought inside.

*Trim trees and remove loose branches that could become airborne.

*Consider replacing doors with impact-rated and/or wind-rated doors, including garage doors.

The CT Mirror contributed to this report. The Newtown Bee is a proud partner and is sharing this story originally appearing at CTMirror.org, the website of The Connecticut Mirror, an independent, nonprofit news organization covering government, politics, and public policy in the state.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.