Flood of 1968
Flood of 1968
| Type | Disaster |
| Date | 1968 |
In April 1968 the spring thaw and heavy rains brought "disastrous flood conditions" to the area along the Concord River. Many families were evacuated for an extended time, with temporary quarters at the Old Parker School, and federal small-loan officers set up at the Town Hall for those who needed long-term help. Ice floes threatened the Concord River bridges at Boston Road, Nashua Road (Hill's Bridge) and River Street (Middle Bridge); the River Street bridge was damaged in its abutments, wingwalls and railings and was closed for three months while more than $15,000 of partial repairs were made. The Selectmen, under Chairman Paul F. Newman, thanked the Civil Defense unit and the auxiliary police and fire department, and Civil Defense Director Charles J. Faria wrote that the department "had an opportunity to prove its value during the disastrous flood we had last spring."
Other floods on the two rivers: 1936, 1955, 1979, 1987, 2010.
People
- Paul F. Newman: Chairman of the Board of Selectmen in 1968, whose board directed the emergency measures and evacuations in the April 1968 flood.
- Charles J. Faria: Civil Defense Director, who led the department's work in the April 1968 flood and filed a full report of the local state of emergency.