Norwalk River - Great Flood of 1955

Great Flood of 1955

Over the weekend of October 14–17, 1955, 12 to 14 inches (300 to 360 mm) of tropical storm rain caused the Norwalk River, along with many other Connecticut rivers, to severely flood. (The state-wide destruction prompted President Eisenhower to declare a disaster area in Connecticut.) The flooding caused the most severe damage of any flood in the history of Norwalk. From the heavy rains some dams along the Norwalk River broke, sending walls of water surging downstream, knocking out bridges and additional dams. Many of the Norwalk River’s neighboring towns and communities suffered widespread devastation. Several lives were lost in addition to millions of dollars worth of damage along the Norwalk River watershed alone.