Flood of 1955 (Connecticut)
Encyclopedia
The Flood of 1955 in Connecticut is one of the worst floods in Connecticut's history. Two back-to-back hurricanes saturated the land and several river valleys in the state, causing severe flooding in August 1955. The hardest hit were the Mad and Still Rivers in Winsted, the Naugatuck River
, the Farmington River
and the Quinebaug River
. Towns that suffered much loss include Farmington
, Putnam
, Waterbury
, and Winsted
. Almost 90 people died during the flooding, and property damage across the state was estimated at more than $200 million, in 1955 figures. The floods prompted changes in safety measures, river monitoring and zoning laws.
and Hurricane Diane
. On August 11, Hurricane Connie swept through the East coast—missing Connecticut, but bringing about 4 to 6 inches of rainfall to the state on August 13. Hurricane Diane came through the following week. The path of Hurricane Diane came closer to Connecticut, after soaking up waters from the Atlantic Ocean. Once the hurricane reached the coast of Long Island, it dumped an additional 13 to 20 inches of rain on Connecticut over a two-day period. The heavy rains on already-saturated ground made several rivers in the region begin to overflow. Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island experienced flooding, but Connecticut was hardest hit in New England. New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania were also hit by flooding caused by the two hurricanes. Two months later, another storm brought an additional 12 to 14 inches of rain to New England—hitting some communities that had been affected by the August floods, and others that had escaped.
, had flood control measures in place, smaller rivers and brooks did not. That's where the major damage occurred. The Housatonic River
in Western Connecticut reached 24.50 feet—its highest levels until October 1955, when it again reached 24.50 feet.
The following damage figures were outlined in the state report three months after the flood:
In New England, more than 200 dams suffered partial or total failure. More than 50 coffins floated away from a cemetery in Seymour. The state shipped in 300 temporary housing units from Groton, to help provide shelter for the newly homeless.
to build $70 million worth of dams and flood walls along several Connecticut Rivers. In 1960, they built the Thomaston Dam. In 1965, the Northfield Brook Dam, and in 1969, the Colebrook Dam.
Naugatuck River
The Naugatuck River is a river in the US state of Connecticut. It carves out the Naugatuck River Valley. The river flows from northwest Connecticut southward into the Housatonic River in Derby, Connecticut. One of the river's main uses is hydropower, which is used to power industrial plants...
, the Farmington River
Farmington River
The Farmington River is a river located in northwest Connecticut, with major tributaries extending into southwest Massachusetts. Via its longest branch , the Farmington's length increases to , making it the Connecticut River's longest tributary by a mere over the major river directly to its...
and the Quinebaug River
Quinebaug River
The Quinebaug River is a river in south-central Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut, with watershed extending into western Rhode Island. The name "Quinebaug" comes from the southern New England Native American term, spelled variously Qunnubbâgge, Quinibauge, etc., meaning "long pond", from...
. Towns that suffered much loss include Farmington
Farmington, Connecticut
Farmington is a town located in Hartford County in the Farmington Valley area of central Connecticut in the United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census. It is home to the world headquarters of several large corporations including Carrier Corporation, Otis Elevator Company, and Carvel...
, Putnam
Putnam, Connecticut
Putnam is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 9,002 as of the 2000 census. It is home to WINY, an AM radio station.-History:...
, Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
, and Winsted
Winsted, Connecticut
Winsted is a census-designated place and an incorporated city in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the town of Winchester, Connecticut. The population was 7,321 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. Almost 90 people died during the flooding, and property damage across the state was estimated at more than $200 million, in 1955 figures. The floods prompted changes in safety measures, river monitoring and zoning laws.
Causes
The flooding was caused by the rains from two hurricanes -- Hurricane ConnieHurricane Connie
Hurricane Connie was the first in a series of hurricanes to strike North Carolina during the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season. Connie struck as a Category 1, causing major flooding and inflicting extensive damage to the Outer Banks and inland to Raleigh....
and Hurricane Diane
Hurricane Diane
Hurricane Diane was one of three hurricanes to hit North Carolina during the 1955 Atlantic hurricane season, striking an area that had been hit by Hurricane Connie five days earlier...
. On August 11, Hurricane Connie swept through the East coast—missing Connecticut, but bringing about 4 to 6 inches of rainfall to the state on August 13. Hurricane Diane came through the following week. The path of Hurricane Diane came closer to Connecticut, after soaking up waters from the Atlantic Ocean. Once the hurricane reached the coast of Long Island, it dumped an additional 13 to 20 inches of rain on Connecticut over a two-day period. The heavy rains on already-saturated ground made several rivers in the region begin to overflow. Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island experienced flooding, but Connecticut was hardest hit in New England. New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania were also hit by flooding caused by the two hurricanes. Two months later, another storm brought an additional 12 to 14 inches of rain to New England—hitting some communities that had been affected by the August floods, and others that had escaped.
Flooding
The rains poured down for much of the day Thursday, Aug. 18, starting at about 3 a.m. By 11 p.m., the Shepaug River and brooks in the western portion of the state had begun to overflow their banks. In Waterbury, the water reached an estimated 35 feet in places, and was reported to have moved at rates up to 50 miles per hour. While major rivers, such as the Connecticut RiverConnecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, had flood control measures in place, smaller rivers and brooks did not. That's where the major damage occurred. The Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
in Western Connecticut reached 24.50 feet—its highest levels until October 1955, when it again reached 24.50 feet.
Rescue Efforts
Police forces, volunteer firefighters, Connecticut National Guard members, the Coast Guard and average citizens worked together to rescue people from their homes and other buildings where they became stranded. At 1 a.m. August 19, as the water began rising over the banks of several rivers, Gov. Abraham Ribicoff mobilized the National Guard. More than 25 helicopters—from the U.S. Navy and local companies like Sikorsky—were used to rescue hundreds of people from rooftops and tree branches where they clung to life.Damage
A Sunday-Herald reporter, who flew over the region the day after the floods, described the area as "a staggering toll of death in a shroud of mud." The death toll was 87 people—including people who suffered heart attacks while being rescued.The following damage figures were outlined in the state report three months after the flood:
- 668 dwellings were totally destroyed
- 2,460 suffered major damage
- 5,213 suffered minor damage
- 507 "industrial establishments' suffered $88.4 million in damage to buildings, machines and materials
- 1,436 commercial establishments suffered $45.5 million in damage
- 922 farms reported losses of $2.5 million (not including damage to the land itself)
- Public property damage was estimated at $36.8 million
In New England, more than 200 dams suffered partial or total failure. More than 50 coffins floated away from a cemetery in Seymour. The state shipped in 300 temporary housing units from Groton, to help provide shelter for the newly homeless.
Changes
The floods prompted the United States Army Corps of EngineersUnited States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
to build $70 million worth of dams and flood walls along several Connecticut Rivers. In 1960, they built the Thomaston Dam. In 1965, the Northfield Brook Dam, and in 1969, the Colebrook Dam.