1936 Northeastern United States flood

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.

[4] When March arrived, along with warmer temperatures, this snow began to melt, causing water levels in rivers to rise.

The first of these storm systems hit the region starting on March 9, associated with a warm front which stalled over the area.

[1] In its report on the flooding, the United States Geological Survey 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.

[1] In what was hailed as the "worst Connecticut floods in years", major damage occurred to transportation links, industries, and homes alike.

The New Haven Railroad and Central Vermont Railway both reported numerous washouts along their tracks, while houses were carried away along the flooded Housatonic River in the western part of the state.

[6] Across the state, evacuations were ordered in low-lying areas near rivers, with some families being rescued from their homes by rowboats.

[9][10] The Kennebec River was the scene of major flooding, resulting in multiple bridges being destroyed by floating ice.

[4] The same day, a dam broke in Uxbridge, causing a 15-foot (4.6 m) high wall of water to flow down the Blackstone Valley.

[15] The Blackstone River rose dangerously high in Rhode Island, with major flooding observed in Woonsocket, where some streets became navigable only by boat.

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.

The city of Cumberland, on the North Branch Potomac River, was particularly badly damaged, and the governor activated the Maryland National Guard to assist in relief efforts.

[22] Large portions of the National Mall were flooded, but there was enough warning for the Capitol Park Service to protect the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial by building a barrier of stone and sandbags, with the help of more than 3,000 men and multiple steam shovels.

[24] The massive scope of devastation led to monumental changes in the way the United States protected against flood damage.