Gerald Stern's "The Buffalo Creek Disaster"

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the horrific mining disaster that took place in a West Virginia mining town in 1972. Information regarding the loss of life and property is taken from Gerald Stern's book, "The Buffalo Creek Disaster: How the Survivors of One of the Worst Disasters in Coal-Mining History Brought Suit Against the Coal Company--And Won". The paper also looks at the negligence of the Buffalo Mining Company, which caused one of the worst man-made disasters in history and the legal case brought against them by survivors of the tragedy.

From the Paper:

"A few days prior to February 26, 1972, rain fell almost continuously, which was typical for this time of year. Buffalo Mining officials, concerned about the condition of the highest dam, measured water levels every two hours the night of the twenty-fifth. Although a Pittston official in the area was alerted to the increasing danger, the residents of the hollow were not officially informed. The one positive about living in a small town is that news travels fast. So, despite the lack of warning from company officials, some residents discerned the danger and moved to higher ground. At 8:05 a.m., the dam collapsed and the water obliterated the other two impoundments. Approximately 132 million gallons of black, waste water hurried through the narrow Buffalo Creek concave."

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