wy REPORT of the Connecticut Flood Recovery Committee to Governor Abraham Ribicoff NOVEMBER 3, 1955Foreward Statement of Policy Aid to Flood Victims The Problem of Direct Grants Unemployment Compensation Sales and Use Tax Remissions Abatement of Local Property Taxes Waiver of Interest on Delinquent Taxes Acquisition and Relocation of Temporary Housing Extension of State Mortgage Loan Program Extension of State Moderate Rental Housing Program Liberalization of Bank Loans for Housing Repairs Small Business Administration Loans Liquor Control Act Credit Provisions Settlement of Flood Victims! Estates Misrepresentation in Closeout Sales Aid to Towns Reimbursement of Grand List Losses Extension of Time for Filing Grand List Returns Payment of State Aid for School Operations Repair and Replacement of Local Highways and Bridges Repair and Replacement of Other Municipal Property Repair and Replacement of Flood-Damaged State Property Repair and Replacement of State Highways and Bridges Repair and Replacement of Other State Properties and Reimbursement of Emergency Expenditures Repair of Flood-Damaged Housing Authority Property Redevelopment Planning Municipal Land Powers Redevelopment of Areas Actually Flooded Relocation of Commerce and Industry Flood Plain Zoning How to Pay for Redevelopment Projects Qualifying for Federal Funds Projects Not Qualifying for Federal Funds Comercial and Industrial Relocation Flood Control Regional Planning Civil Defense Radio Network Summary of Recommendations Financing the Redevelopment Program Table of appendices rok al 22 22 22REPORT OF THE CONNECTICUT FLOOD RECOVERY COMMITTEE FOREWORD on August 19, 1955, Connecticut was the hardest hit victim of the vorst flood in the history of eastern United States. A week earlier, August 13, the wake of Hurricane Connie deposited from 4 to 6 inches of rainfall on the State. On Thursday, August 18, the backlash of Hurricane Diane unleashed 14 inches of rain within a 30-hour period between Thursday morning and Friday noon. ‘The already saturated terrain could not absorb Diane's downpour. Rivers, ‘brooks, and streams which had virtually dried up during the parched months of July and early August were converted within a few hours into raging torrents which cut terrifying paths of destruction. ‘The Mad and Still Rivers in Winsted the Naugatuck, the Farmington, end the Quinebaug in the Putnam-Killingly area were the worst destroyers. Many lesser streams also wreaked their share of havoc. By the time the waters had subsided the flash floods had taken nearly one hundred lives and caused damage estimated at $200,000,000. Under the general direction of Governor Ribicoff, all resources were immediately mobilized to combat the disaster. Saving life and caring for stricken families came first. State, federal, municipal, and private agencies as well as individuals, joined in rescue, feeding, and shelter operations. On Saturday, August 27, the Governor appointed a Flood Recovery Comittee to study the many problems facing the State and its citizens in overcoming the disaster and to map out a program of immediate and long range rehabilitation.