The weather in Connecticut can, at times, be a little extreme as far as temperatures, but we tend to be safe from most weather events. Hurricanes and tornadoes in Connecticut are relatively rare, and if we’re in the news for weather, it’s usually a nor’easter. But back in 1955, there was a horrific flood in Connecticut that resulted in 87 lives lost. The damage was catastrophic in several cities, including Putnam and Farmington. The property damage totaled more than $2 billion in today’s dollars. This was one of the worst weather events in Connecticut history and its impact will never be forgotten.

The flood occurred in mid-August of 1955. The damage was so severe due to the occurrence of two hurricanes within just a few days of one another.
War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Boston District. 1/18/1883-10/1/1946/National Archives Catalog
Hurricane Connie hit the East Coast on August 11. Though the storm did not directly strike Connecticut, it did bring around 5 inches of rain to the state.
Department of Defense. Department of the Army. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. North Atlantic Division. U.S. Army Engineer District, New England. 6/14/1979-/National Archives Catalog
Just one week later, Hurricane Diane hit Long Island. Again, Connecticut was not directly affected by the hurricane itself. The storm still managed to dump nearly 20 inches of rain over Connecticut within just a few days.
War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Boston District. 1/18/1883-10/1/1946/National Archives Catalog
The ground was unable to soak up that much water, and rivers quickly began to overflow. Several other states in the New England region suffered terrible flooding as well, but Connecticut's damage was worst of all.
War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Boston District. 1/18/1883-10/1/1946/National Archives Catalog

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The Connecticut River and other major rivers had flood control measures. The many smaller rivers throughout the state did not, and many quickly overflowed their banks.
War Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. Boston District. 1/18/1883-10/1/1946/National Archives Catalog
People had to be rescued from rooftops and trees because of how rapidly the floodwater was moving. In some areas, the speed of the water was up to 50 miles per hour.
Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. Region 1. 1958-1961/National Archives Catalog
All in all, nearly 700 homes were completely destroyed. Farms and businesses were heavily damaged, and one cemetery had 50 coffins float away.
NOAA/Wikimedia Commons
As a result of the flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed several new dams in Connecticut, including the Thomaston Dam.
CorpsNewEngland/Flickr

This flood was truly terrible and one of the most catastrophic occurrences in the history of the Nutmeg State. What other terrible weather events in Connecticut do you remember?

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