Devestating 1955 Flood Remembered In Farmington

Town of Farmington

FARMINGTON, CT — A local history museum is remembering one of the darkest periods in town history when horrific flooding ravaged Farmington in 1955, specifically, the Unionville section.

Now through Oct. 26, the Unionville Museum, 15 School St., will be showcasing its newest exhibit: "Raging Waters: Remember the Flood of 1955."

The museum is open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

"Take an immersive look into the catastrophic events that unfolded in Unionville in the summer of 1955 and learn more about our heroic first responders and resilient residents," wrote the town in an announcement.

The exhibit opened Sunday, Aug. 17, and admission is free.

According to the town, this week marks the anniversary of the Flood of 1955, one of the most devastating natural disasters in Farmington’s history.

In mid-August, back-to-back hurricanes - Connie and Diane - drenched Connecticut with more than two feet of rain in just days, wrote an event announcement.

With the ground already saturated and rivers running high, the region could not absorb the relentless rainfall.

On Aug. 19, 1955, the Farmington River crested at record levels, sending torrents of water into the village center.

"Streets disappeared beneath several feet of water, bridges were swept away, and homes and businesses were left in ruins," wrote the town.

"The destruction across Connecticut was staggering: nearly 100 lives lost statewide, thousands displaced, and millions of dollars in damage."

In Farmington, the floodwaters cut off access to Unionville and the village center, forcing rescue and recovery efforts to be carried out by boat.

"Out of this tragedy came resilience and change," wrote the town.

"The Flood of 1955 spurred the construction of reservoirs, dams, and improved flood control systems around Connecticut - protections that still safeguard Farmington and surrounding towns today.

"Seventy years later, we pause to remember the devastation, honor the lives lost and impacted, and reflect on the strength of a community that endured and rebuilt."

For more information on the Unionville Museum, click on this link.