Much like Nov. 14, 1970 is remembered in the Marshall Univ. community, and Dec. 15, 1967 is remembered in the Pt. Pleasant, WV and Gallipolis, OH communities, Feb. 26, 1972 is similarly remembered in the coalfields of WV. 44 years ago, three coal dams failed and destroyed much of 14 unincorporated communities near Man, WV. 125 lives lost; thousands injured; 4000 left homeless.
Although my family suffered no personal familial loss in the disaster (and I was still incubating in the womb at the time), the continued effect on those still there and those that have moved away is profound, not unlike the plane crash and the Silver Bridge collapse. Buffalo Creek resonates with me in a different way - with people and events connected to Pittston and Buffalo Creek some five-years down the road.
RIP to the victims and blessings to the survivors.
Although my family suffered no personal familial loss in the disaster (and I was still incubating in the womb at the time), the continued effect on those still there and those that have moved away is profound, not unlike the plane crash and the Silver Bridge collapse. Buffalo Creek resonates with me in a different way - with people and events connected to Pittston and Buffalo Creek some five-years down the road.
RIP to the victims and blessings to the survivors.
