A line of severe thunderstorms rolled through the state on Tuesday bringing strong winds that led to widespread damage from downed trees as well as power outages in several communities throughout the region.

Statewide, there were more than 45,000 Eversource Energy customers without power at 9:15 p.m. Areas served by Groton Utilities were also reporting outages late Tuesday night.

Norwich Public Utilities reported more than 1,500 homes without power in the wake of the storm. Because of the extent of the damage, some homes may not see power again until this morning, according to NPU spokesman Chris Riley.

Norwich opened its Emergency Operations Center, staffed with representatives from the Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works, Norwich Public Utilities and the City’s Emergency Management Director.

The city also planned to open its emergency shelter at Kelly Middle School on Mahan Drive for individuals and families that are without power and in need of accommodations.

Individuals who have special needs and are unable to get to the Emergency Shelter should contact Gene Arters at (860) 887-1018.

“There is a lot of tree damage we need to assess,” Riley said. “With downed wires reported in dozens of locations, NPU crews continue to work to make our system safe for our customers and employees in the field.”

The focus for NPU crews, after securing areas where lines are down, is to make repairs in areas “that will return the largest number of customers to service,” Riley said.

Any downed wire should be assumed to be energized and extremely dangerous. Report any downed wires to 911 or NPU at (860) 887-2555

Taftville Fire Department Chief Timothy Jencks said firefighters responded to multiple reports of trees falling onto power lines and in some cases homes. He said a large tree struck a home at 43 Providence St.

Montville was among neighboring towns to be hit hard by the storm. Emergency Management Director Ray Occhialini said more than 30 percent of the town was without power for a time. At 9:30 p.m., Eversource Energy reported 4 percent, or 306 homes, still without power.

Occhialini said public works crews and firefighters helped to clear trees from several roadways.

Wires and trees were reported down on Fitch Hill Road, Gallivan Lane, Forsyth Road, Route 82 in the area of Old Colchester Road Extension and Chapel Hill Road, where a utility pole snapped. There was also a tree that came down on a house on New York Road. No injuries were reported.

“It was pretty rough,” Occhialini said. “We’re all out there trying to get it cleaned up as quickly as possible.”

Occhialini said the winds and the swath of damage created by the storm are reminiscent of a microburst.

While some of the shoreline towns dodged the brunt of the passing storms, Groton, Old Lyme and New London each had their share of power lines knocked down by high winds.

New London Fire Department Battalion Chief Edward Sargent said a large tree came down onto a home at 57 Connecticut Ave. The tree shattered windows, left a hole in the roof and caused damage to the home’s siding. The tree also took with it a power line crossing the road. Connecticut Avenue was closed as of 9:15 p.m. and was expected to remain closed until Eversource crews repaired the power lines.

The severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect for New London County until 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. A tornado watch was issued for Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties and also remained in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday,

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay