GROTON, Conn. -- Strong winds and fierce lightning tore through Groton Long Point on Wednesday, leaving many powerless and surrounded by debris.

Utility crews worked into the evening trying to restore power to the residents of Beach Street after gusting winds blew down several large trees and power lines.

Powerful Winds, Lightning Hit Shoreline

“I came out of my skin when it hit,” resident Gene Roure said. “It was worse than the hurricane. I thought we had a tornado cell going through.”

Crews said the powerful winds caused a huge tree to topple, grazing a recently renovated house on its way down. Luckily, they said, no one was hurt.

“I've lived through a hurricane down here,” resident Judith Roure said. “I don't know if I've seen any worse, just wicked.”

While some residents feared the wrath of the wind, the heavy downpour brought by the storm made driving difficult for others.

Crews said storm drains couldn’t keep up with the heavy rainfall. They said the town eventually had to close down Route 117 because the water was knee-deep in some spots.

Stonington received even more rain -- up to six inches in some spots.

But as the storms rolled out, leaving areas flooded in surrounded by debris, the cleanup effort began, including restoring power, removing downed limbs and trees, and repairing sidewalks covered in water.

Storm Winds Through Ellington, Uproots Trees

Also seeing serious damage caused by storms that struck Tuesday night was Ellington.

“We could have a party,” resident Jeana Holmes joked. “Bring your chainsaw. You’re invited. Hamburgers are on us.”

Holmes said a birch tree came down on her home on Strawberry Road, crashing into part of her home’s siding and crushing the gutter.

A few feet away, she said, a maple tree also came crashing down.

“If it went other way, we’d have no home,” Holmes said. “It’d be completely gone.”

“This is the worst storm I've ever seen in little Ellington,” resident Jackie Holmes said.

The Holmes said they were heading home last night when they got caught in a severe thunderstorm.

“Then it started to rain and got dark fast,” Ryan Homes said. “Trees were everywhere. I thought it was a tornado.”

Jeana, Jackie and Ryan said their father heard what sounded like a freight train coming.

“He felt the house come off of the foundation, ran to the basement and took shelter,” Jeana Holmes said.

The Neal family said winds whipped through their back yard on Blueberry Circle, bringing trees down.

“Yeah, it snapped it off like a toothpick,” Rick Neal said. “It blew the hot tub cover onto the roof. Pretty exciting.”

Neal said he’s conducting his own tree removal after the microburst that struck his town.

“You could tell by way wind coming loud,” he said. “I sent the kids to the basement. I thought something happened.”

Right around the corner, on Raspberry Lane, Barry Dolby, of Mountain Tree Services, said he received more than a dozen calls after last night’s storm.

“I’ve been kind of busy,” he said. “It’s been very windy, and a lot of trees in houses and covering streets.”