Hartford Is Left Dark and Cold by Swirling Waters

Business Is Paralyzed as River Hits Peak; Military Rule Prevails

(Copyright. 1936, by the Associated Press.)
HARTFORD, Conn., March 20.---Terror and suffering gripped this insurance capital of the Nation Friday as the rising Connecticut River flooded the electric power plant and threw the city into darkness.

As the waters surged through residential and downtown areas, causing untold damage and driving thousands from their homes, additional National Guardsmen were sent to the city to aid in relief work and guard against vandalism.

Many buildings were without heat. Virtually all transportation and communication were disrupted. Business was paralyzed. Eleven hundred WPA workers were sent here to help sandbag buildings which were not already threatened.

As the Connecticut River rose on the east side of the city, overflowing some sections on Main street, the Park River threatened the city from the west.

One Death Reported.

Although only one death had been reported, fears were felt there might be other details in isolated sections where persons were seen drifting on debris.

JOHN VRITIS drowned in East Hartford when a boat capsized, throwing him and four companions into the Connecticut River, which stood at an unprecedented height of thirty-six feet. The four others were rescued.

The only lights in this city of 165,000 were gas lights, candles, kerosene lamps and flashlights. The Hartford Courant arranged to have its Saturday issue published at New Britain, ten miles from here. Its staff of reporters, however, remained here, working by candlelight and flashlight.

The city virtually was under military law. In addition to 630 khaki-clad National Guardsmen, Gov. Wilbur L. Cross ordered Coast Guard and naval militia units on duty.

Capitol Is Safe.

Red Cross officials estimated 1,750 refugees were cared for in schools and the old Statehouse.

As a result of a dike break at Brainard Field, the city airport, 400 men were moved during the day from the transient shelter to the armory in Hartford.

Scores of persons were stranded at hotels, surrounded by water, and at the railroad station, which is on the edge of waters backing up from the swollen Park River. All train service was at a standstill.

The street at the foot of Capitol Hill was under several feet of water, but the golden-domed State Capitol itself was not threatened because of its area, is under water.

Officials estimated about 2.500 acres of the capital city, or 15 per cent of its area in under water.

Early official estimates placed the property damage at $5,000,000.

Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 21 Mar 1936

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Hartford, Conn., another large city victim of floods, established a 9 p.m. curfew for the flooded sections and barred all but food trucks and official cars. The Connecticut River, which engulfed 11,000 acres of the city, was slowly dropping. Hartford's property damage was estimated at not less than $25,000,000. Red Cross officials reported they were caring for 4,000 homeless and it was estimated an equal number sought refuge with friends and relatives. National Guard troops patrolled the lightless streets to prevent looting.

Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 23 Mar 1936