After a lull of only 24 hours, another and more intense coastal storm began affecting CT on the
25th but major results were postponed until the 2627th before the storm moved off on the 28th.
The storm began as snow but turned to freezing rain and sleet over the interior and rain along the
coast on the morning of the 26th after snowfalls of 617 in. Storm precipitation totals reached
12 in. in the west and 24 in. in the east. Flood tides, accompanying the storm, swamped low
areas along Long Island Sound and locally serious flooding occurred in scattered places in the
interior. The storm brought all business, commercial, and educational activities to a halt, was
responsible for exceedingly hazardous roadways, and knocked out power and communication
lines. Several thunderstorms occurred on the 26th and dangerous sheets of ice caused many acci-
dents as late as the 26th.
12/2628/69
MAINE
Central and southern [ME03,04,06>14]
Snow, glaze, rain, lightning, wind
A devastating "northeaster." Heavy snow totaled mostly 618 in. on the 26th before changing to
sleet, freezing rain, and rain. Trees and limbs broke by the thousands, with devastation compared
to that of the 1938 hurricane. Utility wires were downed, disrupting service to many communi-
ties, some for the second time the same week. Heavy rain further weighted the snow, causing
many roofs to collapse or leak. Some buildings collapsed. These included some barns in Franklin
Co. in which several cows were killed. The combination of snow and rain caused severe flood-
ing. The town of Phillips was completely cut off, while all major routes into Farmington were
also closed by water. At Farmington, the storm was said to be the worst in memory of even the
oldest citizens. Cellar flooding was common, putting more furnaces out of service. Storm precip-
itation totaled mostly 2.5 in. at Farmington, and 6 in. as far north as Jackman. Lightning on the
26th struck a home in Wiscasset. Death of a man in Rumford was partially blamed on the storm,
which prevented help from reaching his burning house. Wind also contributed to the devastation.
A plate-glass window was broken at Rockland, where gusts to 80 mph were reported. Piers, boats
and coastal installations were battered by wind and high surf. Beach erosion was extensive in the
BiddefordSaco area. Damages in Waldo Co. alone were estimated at over a half-million dollars.
Much milk had to be dumped by dairymen due to loss of power or lack of transportation. One
death in the Portland area from exhaustion by the storm.
12/2628/69
NEW HAMPSHIRE
State [NH01>07]
Snow, rain, glaze, wind, lightning
A devastating northeaster. Snow accumulated mostly 1020 in. deep on 26th before it changed to
sleet, freezing rain, and rain. Spectacular glazing in north coating twigs and wires with 12 in. of
ice. Trees and limbs broke under the weight, in some areas with damage comparable to that of
the 1938 hurricane. Utility lines were felled, disrupting service to whole communities, some for
the second time in the same week. Rain further weighted the snow, causing many roofs to col-
lapse or leak. Some barns and other buildings collapsed. A church and gas station were affected
in Dover. Especially in the southern portion, heavy rain caused flooding of roads and cellars, in
58
Back to contents page
Previous Page
