Devastating Hamden tornado 23 years ago

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- On July 10th, 1989, one of the most destructive tornadoes to ever impact Connecticut hit the town of Hamden.

Severe weather ripped across much of the Northeast that day and Dr. Mel was keeping viewers updated with the track of these storms.

It was one storm in particular that proved to be the most severe.

Around 5:38 p.m. that afternoon, a tornado touched down near Route 15 in Hamden. The tornado only stayed on the ground for about seven minutes as it headed south, but the damage was more than done.

About 400 structures were completely destroyed, including 23 homes and more than 50 businesses. No fatalities were reported, but there were about 100 injuries associated with the storm.

The tornado left a damage path of about five miles long and winds were estimated at near 200 miles per hour. That's stronger than any hurricane that's ever hit land.

New Haven was narrowly spared from the tornado itself, but winds were still clocked at 80 miles per hour, which caused sporadic damage.

Residents from Hamden will not forget that storm, nor will other residents throughout the area that had their lives changed that fateful day.

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