“The Death of Buffalo Creek”

Title

“The Death of Buffalo Creek”

Description

This article was released after the Buffalo Creek Mine Disaster. The work highlights the environmental conditions that led to the dam breaking. Due to heavy rain, rising creek beds, and waterfalls created at strip-mining sites, the precautions in place quickly gave out, leaving towns and people under water with nowhere to go. With it now being considered one of the most deadly mine-related disasters to occur within the United States, 125 individuals died, with over 1,000 injured. With dam no.3 failing and people losing their lives, this is a reminder of how coal mining can alter the environment, leading to harm or even death. This disaster led to the Dam Control Act of 1973, forcing stricter safety regulations. The Coal Patrol article gives an in-depth narrative of the tragedy caused by underground and surface mining.

Source

WVRHC A&M 4533, B1 F3