UPDATE The National Weather Service tonight issued a new Flood Advisory for Westport and area until 1:30 a.m. Monday.

It said Doppler radar indicated bands of heavy rain tracking slowly to the north.

Rainfall rates of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour have been detected in the heaviest of the showers.

Some areas experienced between 2 and 3 inches of rain through this evening with additional rainfall expected to cause additional minor flooding of roadways and rises on small creeks and streams.

More than 300 persons gathered tonight at Westport’s Inn at Longshore in support of the 11th anniversary celebration fundraiser gala for the Circle of Friends organization which offers programs and support for children and young adults with special needs in mid and upper Fairfield County. The program involves 130 teen volunteers, more than 90 from Westport, who work with children with special needs. Dinner chairs were Andrea and Bill Pecoriello of Westport. Among those pictured are Westporter Susan Robison (l), teen volunteer coordinator, together with many of the teen volunteers. In the center are Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Weston First Selectman Gail Weinstein, Freida Hecht, director and founder of the Circle of Friends, and Chanie Stone (r), of the Schneerson Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

More than 50 persons met today at the Westport Woods Grove home of G. Kenneth Bernhard to get an update from state legislators on conservation issues. Bernhard, a former state representative, is co-chair of the board of the nonpartisan Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV). State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg of Westport and state Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield were among those addressing the gathering. The group was founded in 1999 by Westporter Julie Belaga who told the gathering in 2000 she initiated the procedure of scoring and monitoring legislators on their record of voting on conservation issues. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Alice Mulligan for WestportNow.com

Smoke comes from a power transformer on Whippoorwill Lane late today after lightning strikes in the area. Resident David Pogue said, “We were looking out our window and saw a huge brilliant spherical flash and heard a deafening boom. The power box on Whippoorwill Lane, behind our house on Woody, took a direct lightning hit. All the power went out and the street’s generators kicked in.” Eversource Energy, which used to be Connecticut Light & Power, said 16 Westport customers were without power at 6:30 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Pogue for WestportNow.com

Today’s late afternoon thunderstorms washed out a number of picnics and cookouts at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Westport firefighters late today responded to a report of smoke in the house and possible lightning strike at 294 Saugatuck Ave. After investigating smoke in the basement, the smell abated and some personnel were released for other calls. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Lifeguards were on duty but took shelter during the late afternoon thunderstorms at Westport’s Compo Beach.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

The view from Westport’s Owenoke Park as today’s late afternoon thunderstorms moved though the area.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Meredith Holod for WestportNow.com