From 1936: Gale Increases Pressure Against Highway Bridge

75 years ago this week, Middletown was heavily damaged by the biggest flood of the last century. The river crested over 20 feet higher than its level today. On Sunday I reprinted a New York Times article describing the immediate effects of the flood. Below are descriptions of some of the initial recovery efforts in Middletown, these are excerpted from an article published in the Hartford Courant on March 23, 1936.
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Thousands of Drivers Barred From Middldetown
Lashed by a northwest gale, which threatened to cause further havoc along the flooded waterfronts in this area, the Connecticut River was dropping at the rate of one inch an hour as it plunged toward the sea tonight.

The streets of Middletown again were in darkness, but the gloom in Cromwell was relieved with the restoration of electric service and the news that investigation today showed its water supply was pure. Middletown and Portland will be without lighting and power facilities until Monday at least.

Thousands of automobiles were halted and shunted through the outskirts of Middlesex County communities by police, National Guardsmen and Civilian Conservation Corps members. Law and order prevailed in the flood area. The chief concern of authorities today being the traffic congestion caused by sightseers on all highways into the county. Only residents and cars on emergency errands were allowed to enter the flood zone. Police kept from entering Middletown a line of cars jammed close together and moving slowly which extended from the outskirts of the city almost to the limits of New Haven on the route through Durham and North Haven [route 17].

Area Emerging
The wind, rushing water and debris piled several feet high subjected the Middletown- Portland Highway Bridge to terrific strain. The choppy river carried more debris on its surface at this point than at any time during the flood.

Houses, barns, sheds and oil barrels smashed against the bridge but big oil tanks which seemed to be in danger of falling into the river remained upright although several were afloat, tugging at their anchoring cables.

St. John’s Parochial School will be open Monday but it was announced there would be no session in the town schools on Monday or in the city schools on Monday and Tuesday.

Scouts, Others Aid
Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, and others released from classes are aiding the Red Cross and relief organizations as messengers. Wesleyan students are working for the Health Department and the Red Cross. Wesleyan University was partially lighted tonight by a portable lighting plant furnished by Richard J. Coleman, Middletown showman, who has provided emergency lighting for Middlesex Hospital and the State Armory. Mr. Coleman supplied power for the Telephone Company Saturday when a temporary drop in the gas pressure caused by water getting into a main threatened to put telephone service out by crippling the power system.

Buildings Placarded
Three hundred flooded buildings were placarded by the Middletown Health Department warning occupants they could not reenter until the buildings have been cleaned and inspected.

Appeals for clothing, beds and blankets have met with a generous response, Red Cross officials said. Bridgeport and New Haven sent truck loads of clothing and canned goods adding to the supply collected among local residents.