High wind and power outages

(WTNH) -- More than 40,000 homes and businesses are without power this afternoon after high winds brought down trees and power lines.

Along the shoreline, the wind kicked up the surf and small whitecaps crashed onto the shore.

• Sept. 18, 2012 storm photos

The weather caused Branford Public Schools to cancel all evening activities.

As of 10:30 p.m. more than 32,000 customers of Connecticut Light & Power did not have electricity, and more than 10,000 United Illuminating customers were out of power.

• CL&P Outage Map
• UI Outage Map

"The two largest threats this afternoon/tonight are wind damage and flooding," said Storm Team 8 / WXedge.com Meteorologist Sam Kantrow. "The combination of potentially 60 mph wind gusts and over an inch of rain falling in a relatively short time frame could cause trees to weaken, and widespread power outages are definitely possible."

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Middlesex and New London counties until 11:45 p.m.

For a technical discussion about the latest conditions visit WXedge.com