Updated: July 26, 4:14 p.m.
The town's Emergency Operations Center will be staffed this evening to monitor any dangerous thunderstorms that come into the area.
Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro said it is all precautionary and that having a small contingent of personnel there will make it easier to respond in case Vernon gets hit hard.
The National Weather Service's Storms Prediction Center has placed central and western Connecticut into the Moderate Risk Category and Eastern Connecticut in the Slight Risk Category for Severe Thunderstorms for late this afternoon through this evening. According to the SPC the main threats from these thunderstorms are a 45 percent chance of high winds, a 30 percent chance of hail band and a 5 percent chance of isolated tornadoes.
The risks are generally higher in the western part of the state and lower in the eastern part, according to the center's bulletin.
Thunderstorms are forecast to begin rolling in across Southeastern New York State and the northwest hills of Connecticut by 4 p.m. The period of most significant threat is currently forecast to occur between 7 to 10 p.m. as an approaching cold front interacts with a stalled warm front over Southern New England, according to the bulletin.
A state-issued bulletin is warning that, during this evening, more than one line of thunderstorms may move through the state.
It says, "Towns can expect that any severe storms may contain strong winds, large hail and dangerous lightning in addition to the potential for a few tornadoes. Torrential rainfall in these storms has the potential to result in a quick 2 to 4 inches of rain in a few towns that may result in urban and some small stream flooding."
State officials warend in the bulletin tnat "this is not a drill."
