Torrential downpours a week apart brought flash floods to Westport, earlier this month.
But they weren’t hurricanes. And they weren’t the first times floods caused havoc here.
Earlier this year Bill Coley — a 1967 graduate of Staples High School, and a descendant of the founders of the Coleytown section of town — was sorting through old photos.
He found 2 from August 1955. Back-to-back hurricanes — Connie and Diane — had just pummeled Westport.
The images show what was left of the old stone bridge that carried North Avenue over the Aspetuck River. Bill is 5 years old, standing with his father on Coleytown Road looking north on North Avenue.
He had heard a WMMM radio announcer say the North Avenue bridge was out. Bill’s father didn’t believe it. He had to drive over and see for himself.
Bill’s father was born, and grew up in, the house on the road just north of the river. Bill’s great-grandfather was born in the house where Paul Newman lived.
The bridge has been replaced. And Paul and Joanne Woodward’s house still stands.
