this was bridgeport, connecticut, where several buildings were badly damaged or even partially collapsed in an afternoon storm local reporters heard came and went quickly. >> the storm came in around 2:15 and lasted just about three minutes and by the time it was over, there was a mess of damage. >> reporter: up and down the coast today saw temperatures set from washington to new york and overheated and unstable weather system. >> that was fuel for the severe thunderstorms as they blasted on through bridgeport and brought down winds 60, 70, over 80-mile-per-hour winds across the region. >> reporter: then there was this kind of damage, cars, homes and buildings damaged in pennsylvania. on new york's long island and here in bridgeport where many residents found the storms brief but terrifying. >> unbelievable. i mean, we're facing the rath of god over here. >> it was intense, believe me. oh, it was crazy.