Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we take a look back at 1955. The Flood of 1955, one of the worst floods in Connecticut’s history, ravaged the area. Mother Nature unleashed her fury, forever changing the Valley’s landscape.
Two back-to-back hurricanes saturated the land and several river valleys in the state, causing severe flooding in August 1955. Statewide, the flood claimed the lives of more than 90 people and property damage across the state was estimated at more than $200 million.
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Wednesday, Aug. 17, 1955
Wasp Nest On Fire Box, Cops Tell Fainer
ANSONIA – It might have been a choice between two evils – failing to sound a fire alarm or getting a handful of wasps – if there had been a fire on Fifth Street in the past few days.
Police were advised this morning that the handle of the fire alarm box in front of 181 Fifth Street was the site of a wasp’s nest.
Judiciously, the gendarmes decided its removal was out of their jurisdiction. They notified Supt. of Fire Alarms Stephen Fainer.
Architect Is Drawing Plans For Fire House
DERBY – Alderman Henry F. Healey, Jr., president of the Board of Aldermen, said today that Daniel Antinozzi, architect, is working on the two sets of plans for the fire house for the Storm Engine Company, as authorized by the Board of Aldermen at a special meeting last week.
The aldermen voted to ask the architect to draw two sets of plans, one set for a fire house not to exceed $100,000 and the other set for a structure not to exceed $110,000.
Weather Report
SEYMOUR – Tonight cloudy with showers, low in the low 80s. Tomorrow cloudy with rain, highest temperature in the upper 70s. Winds today southeast 10-15 mph, tonight 20-30 mph.
Hurricane Diane is moving well inland over North Carolina today and will continue inland during its future course. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will produce winds of as much as 35 mph here on Thursday.
Thursday, Aug. 18, 1955
75-Year-Old Business To Close Shortly
ANSONIA – The Ansonia West Side Market, in business for over three-quarters of a century, will close its doors one week from Monday.
The proprietor, John Brady of Mason Street, Derby, who has been associated with the business for 49 years, will join his son, John, Jr., in the operation of the latter’s meat and grocery business at 3 Woodbridge Avenue.
The market was formerly located at Maple and High streets, and after a fire in the Twenties moved into its present location.
1.65 Inches Of Rain Fell During Night
DERBY – A total of 1.65 inches of rain were recorded on the gauge of the Birmingham Water Company from 8 a.m. yesterday to 8 o’clock this morning.
3-Day Town Fair Opens Tonight
SEYMOUR – The town parking lot on First Street has been transformed into a gay midway for the town fair which opens tonight and continues through Saturday. Housewives are busy preparing their prize recipes for the food sales, which will be conducted each afternoon at 4 o’clock. Refreshments, amusements, games and music will also be featured.
In Basic Training
SHELTON – Max Richard Kuziak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Kuziak of River Road, is taking his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland.
He is a graduate of the Shelton High School Class of 1955 and enlisted in the Navy in July.
Friday, Aug. 19 – Aug. 21
The Evening Sentinel was not published for three days – Aug. 19, Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 – after the flood knocked out power to its printing plant.
Publication of the Sentinel on Aug. 22 was made possible through the use of the composing room and press room facilities of The New Haven Journal-Courier and The New Haven Evening Register.
Monday, Aug. 22, 1955
Front Page Headline: Impact of Disaster Overwhelming, 68 Dead, 70 Missing in State Floods
Ansonia Man Dies In Rescue; Funeral Today
ANSONIA – The funeral of Benedict Karabeinikoff, 69, who suffered a heart attack while being taken from his home on Broad Street, at the height of the flood Friday, took place at 11:30 a.m. today from the Hylwa Funeral Home. Rev. Joseph Pishtey, pastor of Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church, officiated. Mr. Karabeinikoff retired five years ago from the American Brass co. He came to America from Russia and lived in Ansonia for 45 years.
Charlton Press Loses Paper, Suffers Damage
DERBY – Spokesmen for the Charlton Press said today that damage to the firm’s Division Street plant is inestimable. All paper stock and printed material was destroyed, and it will be several days before machinery and equipment can be examined to determine extent of damage.
Public, Private Loss Stuns Town, Areas Desolate
SEYMOUR – Seymour continued in a state of emergency for the fourth consecutive day today as the community counted two lives lost, over 70 families rendered homeless, millions of dollars damage through loss of property and untold losses in ruined or damaged machinery in local industrial and manufacturing plants, all resulting from the devastating flood.
Two Third Street women, Mrs. Josephine Krebbs and Mrs. John Walinski, lost their lives during the height of the storm, when according to police, they declined to leave their homes and ignored requests to vacate by rescue workers.
Seymour’s lower Main Street was hard hit and there was heavy loss in many commercial buildings. Helen’s Cleaners, Foley’s Drug Store, Paul’s Lunch, Thomas Thomas’ hot dog stand, Attruia’s Fruit Store and others all were under 10 feet of water.
No Drinking Water
SEYMOUR – The Seymour Water Company reported no drinking water available since the Pines Bridge main broke during the height of the storm.
Red Cross Needs Clothing, Crib For Evacuees
VALLEY – Thirty-two evacuees, representing 10 families, were taken care of at the St. James Church parish hall by the Disaster Relief Committee of the Derby-Shelton American Red Cross branch Friday night.
Some were able to return to their homes Saturday night, but eight persons remained until Sunday noon.
A number of persons, including eight children, were provided with clothing. At present there is a need for a child’s crib in good condition and children’s clothing.
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 1955
Ansonia And Derby Debris Seen By Ike
ANSONIA/DERBY – Dank, shattered communities in the northeastern states grappled with enormous problems of restoration – and just plain existence – today as President Eisenhower flew in to help.
Arriving in Hartford after a flight of inspection of ravaged areas of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, President Eisenhower went into an immediate conference with state governors. From his plane, he had viewed a long, curving swatch of appalling destruction, that left many towns a sodden jumble of wreckage and ripped deep gullies across farmlands.
Flying over Ansonia and Derby, President Eisenhower said “See how muddy it is, and wet, See the water standing in the town. The big thing is that we get relief money in here.”
Ansonia Retailers Losses $2,974,875
ANSONIA –The flood losses of Ansonia’s retail merchants alone totaled $2,974,875, Town and City Clerk Paul E. Schumacher disclosed today.
This represents the total of the estimates given by the proprietors and managements themselves to a survey ordered by Mayor William T. Sheasby, as a basis for determining the city’s place in the state disaster relief picture. It does not include industrial losses, which are being included in a separate survey, as are those of private property owners and families whose possessions were damaged or destroyed.
Boil Water For 5 Minutes For Drinking
ANSONIA – Dr. John M. Renehan, Ansonia health officer, said this morning that water must be boiled for at least five minutes before using, especially for drinking purposes. He said he was emphasizing ‘must’ and explained that the water must be boiled until disinfected and it is certain that it is safe to avoid water-borne typhoid, dysentery and diarrhea.
Body In Derby Unidentified
DERBY – The body of a woman found yesterday morning in the Derby Railroad Station parking lot remains unidentified at the Colwell Funeral Home on Elizabeth Street. Many persons have viewed the body in an attempt to establish identity. State police have taken fingerprints in an effort to do the same.
The two other bodies found Saturday in the Naugatuck River are believed to be bodies washed out of a Seymour cemetery. Both had been embalmed and dead for some time.
To Appoint Derby Flood Relief Group
DERBY – Mayor Anthony Dirienzo of Derby told The Sentinel today that he is preparing to appoint a flood disaster relief committee for Derby to aid the homeless and needy. Anyone wishing to help may send a contribution to the Mayor’s Derby Disaster Relief Committee at the mayor’s office, City Hall.
Registered Nurses Needed In Seymour
SEYMOUR – Registered nurses are needed for duty at the Red Cross shelter on Maple Street. Any registered nurse who wished to volunteer her time is asked to call TU 8-9100.