Travel Channel Ghost Show To Air Derby Episode

DERBY, CT — The Travel Channel show "Kindred Spirits" will air its episode that investigates the rumored haunting in Derby linked to the catastrophic 1955 flood. Hosts Amy Bruni and Adam Berry travel around the country examining areas that families believe are haunted.

The deluge reportedly washed several caskets from their gravesites.

"According to local legend, caskets were stored in the basement of a local building that’s now been converted into a restaurant," according to the episode summary. "Now Amy Bruni and Adam Berry research claims that a powerful poltergeist haunts the building, attacks employees and scares off customers. Are former flood victims lashing out? Or is there a more sinister explanation?"

The flood devastated several towns along the Naugatuck River after two hurricanes impacted Connecticut within a week. Hurricane Connie, which landed as a tropical storm dropped four to six inches of rain between Aug. 18 and 20, according to a summary of the event from Connecticut's 2019 Hazard Mitigation plan. Hurricane Diane, which also landed as a tropical storm dropped 10 to 20 inches of rain.

The devastation was widespread and serious as roads and bridges were washed out and other infrastructure was significantly damaged. The flooding left 103 people dead and caused at least $1.5 billion in damage in 1955 dollars. More than 1,000 families were left homeless and 86,000 were left unemployed.

The episode will air Friday Jan. 31 at 9 p.m.