Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
1955 - RHODE ISLAND DAM BURSTS.

Woonsocket, R. I., (AP) - This industrial city of 50,000, third largest in Rhode Island, was under a state of emergency today with some 500 families evacuated after rain-swollen Horseshoe Dam burst, flooding a four mile square congested tenement and small store area. Gov. Dennis J. Roberts and Woonsocket Mayor Kevin A. Coleman both declared a state of emergency last night. Roberts ordered three National Guard companies, numbering about 160 men, to duty to prevent looting and assist regular and civilian defense auxiliary police.

The Capital
Annapolis, Maryland
August 20, 1955

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