The Buffalo Creek Disaster

Paper Summary:

On February 26, 1972, the coal waster dam at Buffalo Creek collapsed and flooded Logan County's communities with water, sludge, waste and rubble. More than 125 people were killed, 1000 were injured and 4000 left homeless. This paper focuses on this disaster which was not attributed to mother nature. The Buffalo Creek Disaster of 1972, in many circles within the Appalachian community, was considered to be the fault of a mining company. In contrast, the mining company's upper management claim that the dam breaking was an act of God. From an outside point of view, it is difficult to decide which is correct and this is what continues to create controversy. This paper looks at the disaster from many standpoints. First, this paper describes exactly what happened that fateful morning. It looks at different accounts and descriptions of the event. Second, this paper examines the existing trauma still evident among the disaster's survivors and also explores how this event has affected the coal mining industry from the worker's perspective. Third, this paper looks at the lawsuit that quickly followed as part of the aftermath. Finally, this paper attempts to determine who is to blame. The paper looks at steps that the coal-mining executives have taken to improve dam technology and other business practices that seem to incriminate.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
The Disaster
Survivors' Trauma and Long Term Affects
The Lawsuit
Who is to Blame?
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper:

"The people of Buffalo Creek would like to see someone accountable for the disaster. Even before the collapse, many citizens had gone to Pittston to complain and display their concern over the dam's safety. Giardina writes, "residents of Buffalo Creek had repeatedly complained to the company that dam was unsafe but had received no response" (2). This would later become an issue as the settlement was being decided based on three out of five manifestations of survivor syndrome. The three being: death imprint, death guilt and psychic numbing."

More papers on The Buffalo Creek Disaster:

• Essay # 59774 : "Gerald Stern's "The Buffalo Creek Disaster"
• Book Review # 46588 : "Gerald Stern's "The Buffalo Creek Disaster"
• Comparison Essay # 120278 : "The Sand Creek and Rosewood Massacres"

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