Ellen Embardo Hampton
As a six-year old in Waterbury, Connecticut, I was not entirely aware of the enormity of the Flood of '55. But, when my parents took us to a vantage point where we could better view the raging Naugatuck River, I saw something that impressed on me how unusual this event actually was.

In addition to the normal debris bobbing up and down, I clearly saw a bathtub floating along, on the rim of which perched a chicken, for all the world looking as though she were navigating her craft down the rapids.

Although our home was never in danger --we lived on one of the many high hills in Waterbury -- drinking water had to be boiled, and innoculations taken to fend off disease (was it typhoid shots or tetanus? Can't remember). Quite a time.