New England Flooding
One of the flooding disasters on NOAA’s billion-dollar list: $1.4 billion in losses at 2024 prices ($676 million at the time) and 1 deaths.
What the offices filed during it
The 144 most significant flooding episodes filed in these dates, colored by kind.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Losses, 2024 dollars
- $1.4 billion
- Losses at the time
- $676 million
- Deaths
- 1
The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.
By state, as filed
| State | Events | Deaths | Injuries | Damage filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 38 | 0 | 1 | $45 million |
| Maine | 4 | 1 | 0 | $27 million |
| New York | 38 | 0 | 0 | $17 million |
| New Hampshire | 17 | 0 | 0 | $11 million |
| Massachusetts | 38 | 0 | 0 | $10 million |
| Connecticut | 11 | 0 | 0 | $15,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | 0 | 0 | $10,000 |
| Maryland | 6 | 0 | 0 | $5,000 |
| Virginia | 6 | 0 | 0 | $2,000 |
| Puerto Rico | 4 | 0 | 0 | $2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 20 | 0 | 2 | |
| Rhode Island | 8 | 0 | 0 | |
| Oklahoma | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Delaware | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Texas | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Louisiana | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Missouri | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ohio | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Episode by episode
- Flood in Missouri, October 17, 1996Indian Creek was out of its banks and over Highway J.
- Flash Flood in Ohio, October 18, 1996Heavy thunderstorm rain caused flooding of streets and low lying areas. Several streams were reported out of their banks in the northeast part of the county.
- Flash Flood in Virginia, October 18, 1996Four to five inches of rain occurred within 6 hours between Wares Crossroads, Louisa, and Ferncliff. Several roads were closed due to high water and there were evacuations in a few areas.
- Flash Flood in Virginia, October 18, 1996Four to five inches of rain occurred within 6 hours between Sutherland, Dinwiddie, and McKenney. Several roads were closed due to high water including parts of Route 460.
- Heavy Rain in Virginia, October 18, 1996A vigorous cold front, attended by a line of showers and thunderstorms, produced brief wind gusts to 45 mph and rainfall between 1.5 and 2.5 inches across much of northern Virginia during the evening of the 18th.
- Flash Flood in Virginia, October 18, 1996The intersection of local routes 806 and 828 was closed by high standing water up to 1 foot in depth. An automobile was swept off the road; at least 2 1/2 inches of rain fell in the area.
- Flash Flood in Maryland, October 18, 1996A line of heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms ahead of a cold front was followed by moderate rains behind the front. This combination caused several roads to become submerged in the Annapolis area, including most of the normally flood-prone highways.
- Heavy Rain in Delaware, October 18 to 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, fell across Delaware from the evening of the 18th through the morning of the 19th. The heaviest rain fell between midnight and 6 a.m. EDT on the 19th. Storm totals averaged one to two inches across much of the area.
- Heavy Rain in Maryland, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Maryland, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Delaware, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Maryland, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Maryland, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Maryland, October 18 to 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, fell across the Maryland Eastern Shore from the evening of the 18th through the morning of the 19th. The heaviest rain fell between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. EDT on the 18th and 19th. Storm totals averaged 1.5 to 2.5 inches across much of the area.
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 18 to 19, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, fell across extreme Southern as well as Eastern New Jersey during the first half of the day on the 19th and extended into the afternoon in northern Ocean and in Monmouth County.
- Flash Flood in Delaware, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, fell across northern Delaware during the first half of the day on the 19th. The heavy rain caused the flash flooding of several streams in the northern half of the county. The Christina River at Cooch's Bridge reached its 9 foot flood stage at 230 a.m.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Road flooding occurred due to heavy rain in Strasburg and Salisbury Townships.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Basement flooding occurred due to heavy rains throughout the county.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Heavy rain fell across Chester County during the first half of the day on the 19th. The heaviest rain fell around sunrise on the 19th. Storm totals averaged two to three inches and caused the flash flooding of several rivers and creeks throughout the county.
- Heavy Rain in Connecticut, October 19 to 20, 1996On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, during the first half of the day on the 19th caused flash flooding within Delaware County. The heaviest rain fell around daybreak. A state of emergency was declared in Darby during the morning of the 19th because of the severe flooding.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, caused flash flooding of numerous streams within Berks County during the morning of the 19th. Many roads were closed. The heaviest rain fell close to daybreak.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, during the first half of the day on the 19th caused urban and poor drainage flooding, flash flooding of smaller streams and flooding along the Cooper River. The Cooper River in Haddonfield reached its 2.8 foot flood stage at 8 a.m.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, caused flash flooding of numerous streams within Montgomery County during the morning of the 19th, especially in the lower part of the county. Many roads were closed. The heaviest rain fell a little after daybreak.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, during the first half of the day on the 19th caused urban and poor drainage flooding and flash flooding of some of the smaller streams within Burlington County. Among the streams that flooded were the Barker Brook and Beaverdam Creek.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, especially during the morning of the 19th caused widespread urban flooding and the flash flooding of several streams within Mercer County. The rain was over by early afternoon, but flooding along the Assunpink Creek lasted through the morning of the 20th.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Heavy rains caused small streams to come out of their banks.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, heavy at times, especially around daybreak on the 19th caused urban and poor drainage flooding and flooding of some of the smaller streams and eventually the Schuylkill River. There were several abandoned and submerged vehicles throughout the city.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times during the second half of the morning on the 19th caused considerable urban and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding along streams, including the Neshaminy Creek. About 100 rescues were performed of persons trying to drive on flooded roadways.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Heavy rains caused road and small stream flooding throughout much of the county.
- Coastal Flood in New York, October 19, 1996On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times toward noon on the 19th, caused considerable highway and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding of some of the smaller creeks in Hunterdon County. Damage estimates were around one million dollars.
- Coastal Flood in New Jersey, October 19 to 20, 1996A high pressure system near the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and a slow moving low pressure system kept a persistent onshore flow for a couple of high tide cycles, especially in the northern half of New Jersey. The low moved from near Atlantic City at 8 a.m.
- Flash Flooding in New Jersey, October 19 to 20, 1996On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula.
- Flash Flooding in New York, October 19 to 20, 1996On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula.
- Flooding in Pennsylvania, October 19 to 20, 1996Rain, heavy at times, fell across Southeastern Pennsylvania during the first half of the day on the 19th.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times around noon on the 19th caused widespread and severe flooding throughout Somerset County. For the major rivers, most of the crests were the second highest on record and represented a 25 to 50 year flood.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times toward noon on the 19th, caused considerable highway and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding of some of the smaller creeks in Lehigh County. So many roads were barricaded that getting from one place to another was described as impossible.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times around noon on the 19th, caused considerable highway and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding of some of the smaller creeks in Carbon County. United States Route 209 was closed as the Department of Transportation feared a collapse.
- Flash Flooding in Connecticut, October 19, 1996On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times especially around noon on the 19th in Middlesex County caused widespread urban and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding of the smaller streams.
- Coastal Flood in Connecticut, October 19, 1996On Friday October 18th, a strong low pressure system developed on a cold front over the DelMarVa Peninsula.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times around noon on the 19th, caused considerable highway and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding of some of the smaller creeks in Northampton County. In Lower Saucon Township, the Saucon Creek flooded.
- Flood in Delaware, October 19 to 20, 1996Heavy rain earlier on the 19th and its subsequent runoff caused flooding along the Brandywine Creek from the late afternoon on the 19th through the early morning on the 20th. At Wilmington, the Brandywine reached its flood of 11 feet at 745 p.m.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, which fell very heavy at times during the early afternoon of the 19th caused considerable urban and poor drainage flooding as well flooding of most of the rivers and streams in the Passaic River Basin. Damage countywide was estimated at $1,000,000.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times especially during the first half of the afternoon on the 19th, caused widespread urban and poor drainage flooding as well as several creeks and rivers throughout the county. Evacuations occurred in Washington and Franklin Townships.
- Flash Flood in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times during the afternoon on the 19th, caused considerable highway and poor drainage flooding as well as flooding the smaller creeks in Monroe County. Many roads were impassable, but no serious injuries or damage were reported.
- Flash Flood in New Jersey, October 19, 1996Rain, very heavy at times during the afternoon on the 19th caused considerable poor drainage and urban flooding as well as the flooding of smaller streams in Sussex County. No serious injuries or damage were reported.
- Flash Flood in New York, October 19 to 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 19 to 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 19 to 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 19 to 20, 1996
- Flooding in New Jersey, October 19 to 27, 1996Rain, heavy at times, fell across the northern half of New Jersey during the daylight hours on the 19th. The heaviest rain fell around noon in central New Jersey and during the afternoon and early evening in Northern New Jersey.
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996An intense storm over the mid-Atlantic states pumped excessive rains all the way back to parts of western New York. Rainfall totals of three to four inches...onto already saturated grounds...were common across the Genesee Valley and Western Finger Lakes region.
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Massachusetts, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Rhode Island, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in Connecticut, October 20, 1996
- Heavy Rain in New Hampshire, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flooding in New York, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flood in Connecticut, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New York, October 20, 1996On October 19 and 20 a nearly stationary low pressure system over southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania produced heavy rains across much of eastern New York.
- Flash Flood in Connecticut, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 20 to 23, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced 8 to 13 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period. Many homes and businesses were flooded. Roads and bridges were washed out. Several dams were damaged.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 20 to 23, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 7 and 9 inches of precipitation throughout the County during a 30-hour period. Many homes and businesses were flooded. Roads and bridges were washed out.
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 20 to 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 20, 1996Highway 81 between Duncan and Comanche was closed due to water flowing over the road.
- Flash Flood in Maine, October 20 to 23, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 8 and 19 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period. Many homes and businesses were flooded. Roads and bridges were washed out.
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 20, 1996Several roads were covered by high water.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 20 to 23, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 8 and 10 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period. Many homes and businesses were flooded. Roads and bridges were washed out and an area dam was damaged.
- Flood in Connecticut, October 20 to 21, 1996On October 19 and 20 a nearly stationary low pressure system over southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania produced heavy rains across much of eastern New York and western New England.
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 20, 1996
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 21, 1996
- Flood in Massachusetts, October 21 to 22, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Maine, October 21 to 23, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 4 and 19 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period. Many homes and businesses were flooded. Many roads and bridges were washed out.
- Flood in Connecticut, October 21 to 22, 1996An extensive, slow moving surface low pressure system became positioned along the mid-Atlantic coast during the evening of October 19th and meandered there for 48 hours before finally heading northeast across southeast New England.
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 21 to 22, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 3 and 8 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period. Roads and bridges were washed out.
- Flood in Rhode Island, October 21 to 22, 1996An extensive, slow moving surface low pressure system became positioned along the mid-Atlantic coast during the evening of October 19th and meandered there for 48 hours before finally heading northeast across southeast New England.
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Vermont, October 21, 1996A storm system over Pennsylvania on Sunday, October 20, 1996 drifted northeast...moving across New England Monday night, October 21, 1996. A fetch of moist air off the Atlantic resulting in bands of heavy rain across Northern and Eastern Vermont.
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 21, 1996Flash flood waters washed out a small bridge across the highway south of Rock Creek School.
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 21, 1996Water to a depth of two feet caused several streets to be closed.
- Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 21, 1996High water covered U.S. Highway 69/75 and Davis and Clear Boggy Creeks were out of their banks.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 21, 1996
- Flood in New Hampshire, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 21, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily in the Atlantic produced about 5 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period, causing the Cold River Dam in Lempster to fail which resulted in a flash flood..
- Flash Flood in Texas, October 21, 1996Portions of frontage roads near Central Expressway were flooded.
- Flash Flood in Texas, October 21, 1996Heavy rain caused water to cover roads.
- Flash Flood in Texas, October 21, 1996Heavy rain caused water to flow over roads.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 21 to 22, 1996
- Flood in Massachusetts, October 21 to 24, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Puerto Rico, October 21, 1996Civil Defense reported heavy rain and thunder in Orocovis, Aibonito,Barranquitas, Ciales, and Morovis.
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Heavy Rain in Puerto Rico, October 21, 1996Civil defense reported heavy rains in Arecibo.
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Maine, October 21 to 22, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 1 and 7 inches of rain throughout the County during a 30-hour period.
- Heavy Rain in Puerto Rico, October 21, 1996Civil Defense reported a flooded house in Hatillo.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21 to 22, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Massachusetts, October 21, 1996
- Flash Flood in Texas, October 21 to 22, 1996Several secondary roads were closed due to high water.
- Flash Flood in Louisiana, October 21 to 22, 1996Intersection LA 1 and US 71 reported three feet of water due to heavy rain. La 538 closed except for one lane.
- Flash Flood in Louisiana, October 21 to 22, 1996One half foot of water was reported across Hwy 3 resulting from heavy rain.
- Flash Flood in Louisiana, October 21 to 22, 1996One foot of water reported over Hwy 7.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 22, 1996
- Flood in New Hampshire, October 22, 1996A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily in the Atlantic produced about 6 inches of rain throughout Carroll County during a 30-hour period causing the Saco River to overflow its banks at Conway.
- Flood in Massachusetts, October 22 to 23, 1996
- Flood in New Hampshire, October 22, 1996
- Flood in New Hampshire, October 22 to 23, 1996
- Flash Flood in Maine, October 22 to 23, 1996Excessive rainfall caused the Highland Lake Dam to fail in Westbrook. A coastal storm which was fed tropical moisture by the circulation around Hurricane Lily produced between 7 and 16 inches of rain in the area upstream of the dam.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 22, 1996
- Flood in Massachusetts, October 22 to 23, 1996
- Flood in Massachusetts, October 22 to 23, 1996An extensive, slow-moving surface low pressure system became positioned along the mid-Atlantic coast during the evening of October 19th. It meandered there for 48 hours before finally heading northeast across southeast New England.
- Flash Flood in New Hampshire, October 22, 1996An extensive, slow moving surface low pressure system became positioned along the mid-Atlantic coast during the evening of October 19th and meandered there for 48 hours before finally heading northeast across southeast New England.
- Coastal Flood in Puerto Rico, October 23, 1996Coastal Flood Watch issued for north and northeast coasts of Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra. Large northerly swells generated from Hurricane Lili reached the area.
More
Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 1996Tornadoes in 1996
Sources
NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.