Johnstown Flood

One of the worst peacetime disasters in the history of the United States took place in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1889. On that day, when South Fork Dam failed, a wall of water plunged down the narrow valley of the Little Conemaugh River. This flooding water crushed houses like eggshells, threw railroad cars from their tracks, and tore trees from the earth. The flood destroyed Johnstown, leaving 1,600 houses and 260 businesses demolished in its wake. Mud, shattered buildings,...
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One of the worst peacetime disasters in the history of the United States took place in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1889. On that day, when South Fork Dam failed, a wall of water plunged down the narrow valley of the Little Conemaugh River. This flooding water crushed houses like eggshells, threw railroad cars from their tracks, and tore trees from the earth. The flood destroyed Johnstown, leaving 1,600 houses and 260 businesses demolished in its wake. Mud, shattered buildings, and bodies lay where streets and homes had stood the day before. At least 2,209 people lost their lives. Author Mary Gow uses firsthand accounts and quotes from survivors to recapture the events of this terrible day. Also examined are subsequent floods that struck Johnstown.