Thunderstorms Create Widespread Power Outages

The first wave of heavy rains to hit Smithtown has hundreds of LIPA customers without power Wednesday evening. 

Long Island Power Authority is reporting 540 Smithtown customers without power as of 5:48 p.m. Wednesday, according to their Outage Map. 

There are a total of 4,792 LIPA customers without power in Suffolk, with more than half the power outages in the Town of Brookhaven. 

The National Weather Service has changed its  to a severe weather watch for western Suffolk County through 9 p.m. Wednesday. A flood advisory and hazardous weather outlook are in effect. 

The largest power outages are in the western portion of Smithtown, in residential neighborhoods off Old Willets Path and to the north, near Caleb Smith State Park, according to LIPA's Outage Map. 

Utility crews are still assessing the extent of the damage done to the Smithtown area. There is no estimated time for when power will be restored by LIPA as of 5:48 p.m. 

Residents with a power outage or downed wires can report these to LIPA by calling  1-800-490-0075 or texting OUT to  myLIPA (695472), which requires pre-registration. 

LIPA charts all reported power outages on its Storm Center's Outages map, providing updates every 15 minutes.