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218:. Many of the rivers were filled with ice, which served to further increase the damage. Across New England, and especially in the northernmost states, ice jams and floating ice destroyed numerous bridges and caused damage to buildings. By the afternoon of March 19, more than 200,000 people were homeless as a result of the flood, a number which increased to 260,000 on March 21.
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The stages and discharges of these great floods were notable, not only because they equaled or exceeded those of all previously recorded floods in many of the river basins but also because the floods occurred simultaneously over an extent of area that was unprecedented in the records or traditions of
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was particularly cold, and more snowfall than usual fell in the
Northeast. When March arrived, along with warmer temperatures, this snow began to melt, causing water levels in rivers to rise. This was aggravated by several precipitation-heavy storm systems, which hit the region back to back in early
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Along the
Connecticut River, many communities faced the worst flooding ever recorded. In Hartford, the river crested at 37.6 feet (11.5 m), a record which still stands as of 2015. Twenty percent of downtown Hartford was navigable only by boat. The city lost nearly all power and telephone
396:, residents feared a repeat of the dam failure that caused the previous flood. Fortunately for the region, the dam survived the flooding, but this did not stop the city's rivers from overflowing their banks and covering much of Johnstown in 12–14 feet (3.7–4.3 m) of floodwaters.
108:
which stalled over the area. Significant amounts of rain fell, with amounts as high as 5 inches (130 mm) reported in
Northern New England. A second storm system arrived around March 18, which produced even more rain than the previous one.
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described March 1936 in no uncertain terms: "The depths of rainfall mark this period as one of the greatest concentrations of precipitation, in respect to time and magnitude of the area covered, of which there is record in this country."
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The flood led to an estimated 150 to 200 deaths across the
Northeast, and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in 1936 dollars. $ 100 million in 1936 dollars is equivalent in purchasing power to about $ 2.2 billion in 2023.
32:
64:, in March 1936. Record-setting flooding after a combination of a particularly precipitation-heavy winter and large amounts of rainfall in March caused severe damage across the region.
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in the western part of the state. Across the state, evacuations were ordered in low-lying areas near rivers, with some families being rescued from their homes by rowboats.
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was impossible to see due to flooding, which was as high as the tops of trees. Despite the large extent of flooding, there were no fatalities in
Washington, D.C.
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In the immediate aftermath of the March 18 storm, catastrophic flooding began. In addition to every state in the
Northeast, flooding also occurred in
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communications, while more than 300 National
Guardsmen deployed in the city to patrol the flooded streets and rescue those stranded by floodwaters.
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In what was hailed as the "worst
Connecticut floods in years", major damage occurred to transportation links, industries, and homes alike. The
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In total, the Maine State
Highway Commission reported 81 highway bridges were destroyed or damaged seriously enough to require rebuilding.
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141:. Twenty people were confirmed dead from flooding on March 13. The flooding was somewhat arrested by a freeze starting on March 13.
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Starting on March 12, flooding was observed across the
Northeast, from Maine to Pennsylvania. Significant damage was caused by
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was the scene of major flooding, resulting in multiple bridges being destroyed by floating ice. Damage along the Kennebec and
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The massive scope of devastation led to monumental changes in the way the United States protected against flood damage. The
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was a direct result of the floods, and led to significant investment in flood protection, funding the construction of
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In Massachusetts, the worst flooding occurred along the Connecticut River. By March 19, at least 15,000 residents in
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to assist in relief efforts. In Cumberland alone, damage was estimated at over $ 50 million in today's dollars.
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was saved only by the use of more than 500,000 sandbags, though the company's facilities were severely damaged.
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Flooding reached the nation's capital on March 20. The Potomac River crested at 18.5 feet (5.6 m) under
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965:"15% of Hartford Flooded, All Business May Suspend; 2 More Feet of Water Will Cripple Main Power Plant"
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was activated to assist in search and rescue, fight off looters, and help rebuild. The Guard and the
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both reported numerous washouts along their tracks, while houses were carried away along the flooded
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to mid March. The first of these storm systems hit the region starting on March 9, associated with a
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by building a barrier of stone and sandbags, with the help of more than 3,000 men and multiple
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was slightly damaged by ice in the Delaware River. Damage was also reported to the jetties in
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In total, 87 municipalities in New Hampshire reported at least some level of flood damage.
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were flooded, but there was enough warning for the Capitol Park Service to protect the
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Transportation in Pittsburgh ceased, as the city's railroad yards were flooded.
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Only minor flooding occurred in Delaware, mostly affecting farmland. The
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By March 21, over 80,000 people had been made homeless in Pennsylvania.
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The Floods of March 1936. Part 3. Potomac, James, and Upper OHIO RIVERS
426:
Starting on March 17, Maryland was hit by severe flooding. The city of
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rose dangerously high in Rhode Island, with major flooding observed in
153:
had a 5,000-square-foot (460 m) section ripped out by an ice jam.
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experienced what were, as of July 2014, its highest floods on record.
40:, the Connecticut River overflowed its banks as a result of the flood.
1077:"Weatherman Explains How "Perfect Storm" Caused Flood Of The Century"
445:, breaking the previous record set in 1889 by 7.9 feet (2.4 m).
303:, causing a 15-foot (4.6 m) high wall of water to flow down the
366:, water rose nearly as high as the city's bridges across the river.
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The Merrimack River crested at a record 68.4 feet (20.8 m) in
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Rivers was increased by ice jams. Similarly, six bridges along the
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patrolled the city by boat, as roads were impassible by vehicles.
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recorded 10 inches (250 mm) of rain between March 18 and 19.
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434:, was particularly badly damaged, and the governor activated the
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experienced some of the worst flooding in all of New England.
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floods of the region, covering many years and even centuries.
896:. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office.
637:. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office.
330:
A man navigates the flooded streets of Hartford in a rowboat.
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Pennsylvania experienced particularly devastating floods in
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Record heights were recorded in many rivers, including the
733:"Worst Conn. Floods In Years Cause Widespread Destruction"
441:
The Potomac River crested at 47.6 feet (14.5 m) in
27:
Historic flood in the Northeastern United States in 1936
461:
Rivers suffered severe flooding during mid-March 1936.
362:, where some streets became navigable only by boat. In
346:
was shut down, leaving the city "virtually isolated".
414:
were destroyed by floodwaters, along with another in
288:had been made homeless by the floodwaters. The
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856:"Connecticut Towns Menaced By New Flood Crest"
71:, which peaked at 37.6 feet (11.5 m) in
8:
1103:Nathan C. Grover; Stephen Lichtblau (1937).
993:"Middletown Industries Close As Power Fails"
1297:1936 natural disasters in the United States
890:The Evolution of the 1936 Flood Control Act
1167:, Photographic Plate 2 (between pp. 34–35)
649:"Value of $ 100,000,000 from 1936 to 2023"
1307:History of the Northeastern United States
628:United States Geological Survey (1936).
562:
318:, records which both stand as of 2015.
763:"20 Dead in Floods; Cold Halts Menace"
699:"Nine Lose Lives As Floods Sweep East"
1276:1936 Northeastern United States flood
1239:"State Escapes Havoc of Flood Waters"
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882:
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679:. Springfield Museums. March 30, 2016
238:were destroyed by the advancing ice.
46:1936 Northeastern United States flood
18:1936 Northeastern United States Flood
7:
1180:Bloom, Chester A. (March 30, 1936).
823:"Flood Toll Mounting in Ohio Valley"
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189:— The USGS report on the 1936 flood.
1075:Associated Press (March 20, 1936).
991:Associated Press (March 20, 1936).
963:Associated Press (March 20, 1936).
854:Associated Press (March 21, 1936).
790:Associated Press (March 20, 1936).
731:Associated Press (March 12, 1936).
120:In its report on the flooding, the
137:on numerous rivers, including the
25:
1292:1930s floods in the United States
1219:from the original on May 21, 2015
1213:National Archives at College Park
1049:US Department of Commerce, NOAA.
583:US Department of Commerce, NOAA.
253:Flooding in Keene, New Hampshire.
1269:
1020:"Photos: Rhode Island disasters"
1112:United States Geological Survey
907:United Press (March 19, 2021).
821:United Press (March 19, 1936).
122:United States Geological Survey
909:"Loss Mounts as Dam Gives Way"
267:Amoskeag Manufacturing Company
1:
299:The same day, a dam broke in
294:Springfield Police Department
585:"Historic Flood March 1936"
392:. In Johnstown, site of an
1323:
1182:"The Flood Stole the Show"
1051:"1936 Flood Retrospective"
887:Arnold, Joseph L. (1988).
432:North Branch Potomac River
373:
54:Northeastern United States
936:"Floods Claim 143 Lives!"
547:Flood Control Act of 1936
531:Indian River Inlet Bridge
471:Washington-Hoover Airport
52:that occurred across the
1165:The Floods of March 1936
792:"The Floods at a Glance"
631:The Floods of March 1936
380:Pittsburgh flood of 1936
1244:The Sunday Morning Star
861:Spokane Daily Chronicle
797:Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
436:Maryland National Guard
376:Johnstown flood of 1936
263:Hooksett, New Hampshire
167:Central Vermont Railway
1187:Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
1163:Grover and Lichtblau,
914:Berkeley Daily Gazette
494:
394:infamous flood in 1889
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38:Holyoke, Massachusetts
1143:National Park Service
1082:Meriden Daily Journal
1024:providencejournal.com
998:Meriden Daily Journal
970:Meriden Daily Journal
704:Painesville Telegraph
653:www.in2013dollars.com
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35:
1278:at Wikimedia Commons
941:Oxnard Daily Courier
491:Washington Navy Yard
677:"The Flood of 1936"
507:Washington Monument
475:Arlington, Virginia
469:, saw its airport,
1215:. March 20, 1936.
495:
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163:New Haven Railroad
85:Androscoggin River
81:Pemigewasset River
42:
1302:March 1936 events
1274:Media related to
768:Rochester Journal
305:Blackstone Valley
101:winter of 1935–36
69:Connecticut River
56:, as well as the
16:(Redirected from
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1247:. March 29, 1936
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771:. March 13, 1936
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707:. March 13, 1936
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511:Lincoln Memorial
489:Flooding in the
481:Washington, D.C.
467:Washington, D.C.
356:Blackstone River
259:Merrimack Valley
208:Washington, D.C.
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1209:"Flood of 1936"
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1145:. June 24, 2014
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828:The Bulletin
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232:Androscoggin
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177:Second flood
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139:Hudson River
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58:Mid-Atlantic
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519:Hains Point
477:, flooded.
463:Great Falls
322:Connecticut
286:Springfield
157:Connecticut
151:Holyoke Dam
129:First flood
60:region and
1286:Categories
1251:October 6,
1223:October 6,
1193:October 6,
1110:(Report).
1088:October 7,
1060:October 7,
1029:October 6,
1004:October 7,
976:October 7,
948:October 6,
920:October 6,
867:October 7,
834:October 6,
803:October 6,
775:October 9,
744:October 9,
711:October 9,
683:October 6,
594:October 6,
557:References
499:Key Bridge
428:Cumberland
386:Pittsburgh
360:Woonsocket
340:Middletown
271:Manchester
236:Saco River
106:warm front
95:Background
83:, and the
658:March 18,
430:, on the
390:Johnstown
364:Pawtucket
1217:Archived
1149:July 18,
1133:"Floods"
1117:July 18,
525:Delaware
509:and the
449:Virginia
422:Maryland
344:Portland
316:Montague
301:Uxbridge
204:Delaware
200:Maryland
196:Virginia
135:ice jams
73:Hartford
738:The Day
455:Potomac
443:Hancock
551:levees
541:Legacy
312:Lowell
214:, and
79:, the
75:, the
1108:(PDF)
894:(PDF)
635:(PDF)
459:James
222:Maine
50:flood
1253:2021
1225:2021
1195:2021
1151:2014
1119:2014
1090:2021
1062:2021
1031:2021
1006:2021
978:2021
950:2021
922:2021
869:2021
836:2021
805:2021
777:2021
746:2021
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