This week we take another look back at 1955, one week after the devastating flood ravaged the Naugatuck Valley.
Here we see restoration efforts in full swing and learn how families and local businesses banded together to begin putting the pieces of their lives and livelihoods back together. The Flood of 1955 was one of the worst floods in Connecticut’s history.
After two back-to-back hurricanes poured down on Connecticut that August, rivers across the state overflowed their banks. The tragedy took 91 lives, including four in the Valley, and caused over $46 million in damages in the Valley alone, according to a Flood of 55 special project by former Valley Indy reporter Jodie Gil posted to the The Electronic Valley.
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1955
1,000 Tins Of Food Sent Here From Branford
ANSONIA – Over 1,000 tins of canned goods were brought to Ansonia last night and stored at the Charters and Fountain Hose companies where they will remain until there is a need for them.
The goods were collected by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Short Beach Hose, Hook and Ladder Co. of Branford.
Farrel-Birmingham Cleanup Amazingly Speeds Recovery In Ansonia, Derby Plants
ANSONIA/DERBY – Farrel-Birmingham Company is marking amazing progress in restoring its plant to condition for early resumption of operations.
The Derby welding plant of the Farrel-Birmingham Company will be back in operation in a matter of hours. In the Ansonia foundry, ovens will be in operation to dry out motors before the day is out.
In both Ansonia and Derby plants, invaded by the incredibly high flood waters, which left fantastic deposits of mud and silt and slime and foreign objects which floated in, an almost unbelievable clearing job has been done with executives pitching in beside workers to rid the plants of what was a discouraging mess when the flood waters first receded.
Peter Vartelas Loses $600 Cash Besides Building
ANSONIA – Peter Vartelas of 84 Franklin St., whose eight-family block on Maple Street, which housed Vartelas’ Family Food, and three other stores, washed away during Friday’s flood, and also lost in excess of $600 in cash.
Mr. Vartelas, who planned to deposit the money in the bank, upon reaching the store Friday took the money out of his pocket and placed it on a high shelf in the store, not expecting the water to reach that high. But the flood washed away the store and the money, as well.
Housatonic Reached Its Highest Peak
DERBY – Friday at midnight, the Housatonic River reached its highest peak at the dam between Derby and Shelton. The water coming over the dam at that time measured 8.04 feet, the highest in living memory or on record.
The river is still above normal with water coming over the dam today at a measurement of 3.05 feet.
The only damage reported by the Shelton Canal Company was to its gravel bank on the Shelton side of the dam, which was gouged out by the heavy waters on Friday.
Herman Litsky Reports Total Loss Of Stock
DERBY – Herman L. Litsky, proprietor of the Derby Feed Store, Main Street, said today that all his stock in his storage building on lower Caroline Street was a total loss due to Friday’s flood.
Mr. Litsky estimated the loss at $25,000. He said he was trying to get the ruined stock out of the storage house. With a helper, he remained in the storage building Friday until forced to leave.
Thursday, Aug. 25, 1955
Another Body Found On Flats
ANSONIA – Police recovered a body yesterday which had been found below Westwood Park on the flats. The body had been found by a boy playing in the area. Officer Daniel Skurat and Supernumerary Officer Matthew F. Shortell, Sr. removed the body to the Hylwa Funeral Home. It was buried in Grover Cemetery.
Firemen Washing Out Stores on Main Street
DERBY – A detail of firemen, working under the direction of Fire Chief Anthony Rizzio, are washing out stores on lower Main Street as they cleared up debris left by the flood. Another group of firemen have been using portable pumps at the Farrel-Birmingham plant almost constantly since the waters receded.
Big Crane Lifted To Top Of Trestle
DERBY – Employees of the New Haven Railroad are progressing steadily with the job of making temporary repairs to the East Derby trestle and it is expected that the first train on the Maybrook-Bridgeport run will pass through Derby sometime today.
To assist with the job, a big crane was lifted by an even bigger crane to the top of the trestle. The crane resting on the top trestle is being used to lift steel and wooden frames to the damaged part of the trestle.
Paugassetts Vote To Pass Up Parade
DERBY – The Paugassett Hook and Ladder Company, at a special meeting last night in its flood damaged fire house, voted not to participate in the parade of the Connecticut State Firemen’s Association scheduled for Saturday in Bethel. Captain Paul Tiano presided over the session.
Lions Plan Aid To Evacuees Here
OXFORD – Oxford Lions’ Club members will canvass residents of the town seeking all kinds of cleaning equipment and supplies to aid the evacuees who are now quartered at the Oxford Legion Home. The decision to aid in this way was made last night at the regular meeting of the club at the Oxford Hoose.
Due To Reopen Bank Street Bridge Today
SEYMOUR – Mopping up operations in town are shaping up fairly well in the wake of the flood disaster, First Selectman Harry F. Mannwieler said today.
The chief executive said it is hoped to have the Bank Street bridge reopened either late this afternoon or tonight. What sort of travel, either pedestrian or light vehicle, will be permitted to cross the span won’t be determined until additional information is supplied by the State Highway Department.
Governor Pledges All Possible Aid To Town On Tour
SEYMOUR – Governor Abraham A. Ribicoff and his aide got an on-the-ground inspection view of the flood disaster area in Seymour yesterday. He informed First Selectman Harry F. Mannweiler that everything possible will be done to assist the stricken community.
Friday, Aug. 26, 1955
Legion Donates $300 To Mayor’s Relief Fund
DERBY – At a special meeting of John H. Collins Post, American Legion, held last night in the Veterans’ Memorial Home, it was voted to contribute $300 to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund, which was begun by Mayor Anthony DiRienzo to aid local victims of the flood.
Commander Charles Brink said “This donation comes under the heading of community service. We Legionnaires feel it is our duty to assist in some small manner to alleviate the suffering of the unfortunate citizens of our city. We strongly urge all the send their contributions to this Fund.”
Bank Street Bridge Open
SEYMOUR – The Bank Street bridge, which had been impassable since the flood, was put back in service yesterday afternoon when both pedestrians and passenger cars were able to cross the span. This marked the first time the town was not divided as far as vehicle traffic was concerned.
Route 8 from the upper railway underpass to the bridge was washed away, and vehicles must approach the Bank Street bridge through the center of town.
Seymour Flood Losses Total $6,355,000 On Preliminary Estimates
SEYMOUR – Seymour’s losses in the flood disaster, which struck here one week ago today, total $6,355,000, according to figures announced by William L Little, chairman of the Seymour Emergency Disaster Committee. These figures do not include personal belongings.
A breakdown of the disaster figures follows: Private real estate, $3,000,000; public buildings, $505,000; factories, $2,000,000 and retail merchants, $850,000.
Sponge Division Begins Some Production Works
SHELTON – Earl D. Gunn, general manager of the staff division of B.F. Goodrich Sponge Products Division, reported today that all plants of the company here, and in Derby, have begun partial production operations. Mr. Gunn said that some areas of all plants will work through the weekend.
The company official said that due to limited use of electrical power, it was doubtful that full production will get underway until next week.
Shelton Man’s Sister Rescued
SHELTON – Miss Lillian Ellsworth of New Hartford, sister of Edward J. Ellsworth of 41 Coram Ave., narrowly escaped with her life during the height of the flood on Friday, when the waters of the Connecticut River demolished her home and she had to be rescued from a second-floor window by rescue workers.
Mr. Ellsworth did not learn until Sunday night the fate of his sister, and on Tuesday, got through to New Hartford to visit with her in one of the churches being used in that area to house evacuees.
Saturday, Aug. 27, 1955
Residents May Enter Contaminated Area With Permits To Recover Uncontaminated Articles
ANSONIA – The Health Department is allowing residents of homes in the contaminated area to enter the buildings for the purpose of getting articles of clothing which have not been contaminated.
The health department officials said these families can enter the area by truck only and with written permission by the department daily from 5 to 8 p.m. and in the company of a health inspector.
O’Brien Orders Bridge Open Sunday For Churchgoers
ANSONIA – Police Chief William O’Brien told The Sentinel today that the Bridge Street bridge will be opened Sunday morning for the use of local people going to and from church.
Firemen Continue To Help With Cleanup
DERBY – Firemen under Fire Chief Anthony Rizzio continued their task of helping with the cleanup in Derby yesterday. The firemen washed down the lower end of the Caroline Street, including several business establishments. Later they went to East Derby where they washed down a section near Jennings Street. This morning the firemen were out again bright and early working at the Derby Feed warehouse on Lower Caroline Street.
Waterman Pen Reopens Monday
SEYMOUR – The Waterman Pen Company, one of the Connecticut manufacturing plants hardest hit by the recent flood, has made a remarkably quick recovery and will be back in production at its Seymour plant on Monday, according to Robert D. Howse, president.
Seymour Clergy Request
SEYMOUR – Seymour clergymen have been asked by the Seymour Emergency Disaster Committee to appeal to their parishioners Sunday to kindly request those needing a home to register with the Red Cross, Town Hall.
Disaster Areas ‘Off Limits’ To Sightseers
SEYMOUR – Seymour’s flood damaged areas will be ‘off limits’ to all sightseers over the weekend. Connecticut state policemen and auxiliaries have been assigned to patrol the outskirts of town.
No persons who do not have official business in town will be allowed through roadblocks, which have been set up on the highways leading into Seymour.
Sunday, Aug. 28, 1955
The Evening Sentinel Didn’t Publish On Sundays
Monday, Aug. 29, 1955
289 Families Receiving Red Cross Disaster Help
ANSONIA – Ansonia families with emergency needs caused by the flood who are not living in the Ansonia High School are receiving assistance through the American National Red Cross relief office, according to William Reed of the National Red Cross.
Mr. Reed said approximately $4,000 has been expended in the past four days for supplemental food and clothing needs of individual families apart from distribution of great quantities of canned food and clothing.
Glazer’s Papers Washed Up On Long Island
ANSONIA – Herman Glazer of Glazer’s Main Street appliance store washed out by the August 19 flood, received a letter from Arthur Scherrer of New York City, enclosing a business letter and order blanks from the Ansonia store which were picked up on the beach at Wading River, Long Island.
“Thought I’d send you the enclosed just to see how far they traveled,” Mr. Scherrer wrote.
While strolling along the beach on Long Island Sound, between Wildwood and Wading River on August 21, he picked up the papers.
Storms’ Boat Used To Get Utility Line Across River
DERBY – The emergency boat of the Storm Engine Company was used by the Housatonic Public Service Company to strong a power line across the Naugatuck River, north of Maple Street, to supply the Farrel-Birmingham Company, Sunday morning. It marked the first time the new boat was used since the flood. The old boat was wrecked during a rescue attempt on Factory Street at the height of the flood.
Seeking Shelters For Flood Evacuees
SEYMOUR – The Seymour Emergency Disaster Committee is seeking homes for flood evacuees. Anyone having such shelters is advised to contact the Red Cross at Town Hall.
Typhoid Inoculations Daily This Week
SEYMOUR – The second typhoid inoculations are being given daily this week from 8 a.m.t to 4 p.m. at Maple Street School, Russian-American Hall and Town Hall.