Historic Flood March 1968

Heat Continues for the East and South-Central U.S.; Strong to Severe Storms Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

The extremely dangerous heat wave continues across the East Coast and much of the South-Central U.S. today. Record high temperatures are expected for some areas especially across the Mid-Atlantic where extreme heat risk conditions reside. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms today for the northern Mid-Atlantic into portions of southern New England. Read More >

FLOOD OF MARCH 1968

Image of rainfall totals across southern New England from March 17-19, 1968.

The floods of March 1968 were not as dramatic as some earlier events in terms of the rainfall amounts, nor did it seriously impact the major mainstem rivers of the region. However, its impact in many ways was just as significant since its focus was on the heavily populated areas of eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. No lives were lost due to the flooding; however, damage estimates totalled about $37 million.

Two significant storms impacted southern New England in March 1968. The first was not major, but it did combine with some snowmelt to bring a rise into many of the rivers and streams in the region. The second storm occurred March 17-19 and delivered up to 7 inches of rain with the heaviest amounts occurring just south of Boston.

The Ipswich, Charles, and Taunton River basins among others recorded floods of record during this event.

River	Station	Flow	cfs/sq mile	Stage
Ipswich	Ipswich	2680 cfs	22 csm	8.4 ft
Charles	Dover	3220 cfs	18 csm	8.7 ft *
Neponset	Norwood	1140 cfs	32 csm	10.5 ft
Wading	Norton	1460 cfs	34 csm	11.5 ft *
Blackstone	Woonsocket	15,400 cfs	37 csm	14.6 ft
Pawcatuck	Westerly	4470 cfs	15 csm	10.5 ft *

River

Station

Flow

cfs/sq mile

Stage

Ipswich

2680 cfs

22 csm

8.4 ft

Charles

Dover

3220 cfs

18 csm

8.7 ft *

Neponset

Norwood

1140 cfs

32 csm

10.5 ft

Wading

Norton

1460 cfs

34 csm

11.5 ft *

Blackstone

Woonsocket

15,400 cfs

37 csm

14.6 ft

Pawcatuck

Westerly

4470 cfs

15 csm

10.5 ft *