Natural and Man-Made Disasters | When Was The Johnstown Flood?
When was the Johnstown Flood?
Johnstown, a city east of Pittsburgh in southwestern Pennsylvania, has been flooded many times. The most devastating flood, however, took place on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam on the Conemaugh River collapsed and water completely covered the city. Because the dam was located about 14 miles (23 kilometers) away in the Allegheny Mountains, the torrent of water gained momentum as it sped toward Johnstown. Reaching 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour, the water hit Johnstown with such force that it tossed a 48-ton (44-metric-ton) locomotive the distance of 1 mile (2 kilometers). Between 2,000 and 5,000 people lost their lives. In comparison, when another flood submerged Johnstown 88 years later, an early warning system limited the loss of life to 77.
Further Information: National Park Service. Johnstown Flood Museum. [Online] Available
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