Westfield Gas and Electric reported widespread outages.
In Westfield, police reported the southeast section of the city, including the Shaker Road, Shaker Heights and Pontoosic Road areas, were mosty heavily hit by the tornado when it touched down there. Police said there were no injuries reported as of 8 p.m., but there was “significant property damage” in the section of the city bordering Agawam and Southwick.
A section of roof at the Munger Hill Elementary School was blown off, and the school will be closed Thursday and Friday, according to Police Lt. Lawrence P. Valliere. “Part of the roof was whacked,” said Valliere.
Police and the municipal utility, the Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department, reported widespread power outages due to downed trees and utility poles brought down by the wind.
Ross and Theresa Rodgers, of 61 Pontoosic, had recently placed the home their family has lived in since 1905 on market for sale, only to find themselves now facing making repairs.
“It blew out a window in the bathroom and brought down a large tree,” Ross Rodgers said. He had dispatched his wife and their grandson to the basement for safety and then watched as a funnel cloud passed by their home, he added.