The Buffalo Creek Disaster, February 26, 1972
One of worst floods in US occurred here 26 February 1972, when Buffalo Mining Co. impoundment dam for mine waste broke, releasing over 130 million gallons of black waste water: killed 125; property losses over $50 million; and thousands left homeless. Three commissions placed blame on ignored safety practices. Led to 1973 Dam Control Act and $13.5 million class action legal settlement in 1974.
Buffalo Creek Flood Revisited – 10 Years Later
Coal dam break leads to flood.
I’d like to create a memorial gallery on this page to remember the victims of this terrible disaster so if anyone wants to submit any photos, please do so.
Related Links:
- Buffalo Creek Flood Disaster – First Hand Account
- Mud, muck and misery
- Buffalo Creek – www.wvculture.org
- THE BUFFALO CREEK FLOOD DISASTER, FEBRUARY 26, 1972 Published by
Donna L. Brown on its 25th Anniversary. - Tragedy on Buffalo Creek, Logan County Genealogical Society Newsletter (pdf)
- Logan Citizens Band Radio Club Flood Report Feb. 24-28, 1972 (pdf) – The National REACTer March-April 1972. Clipping courtesy of Robert Piros.
My special thanks to Pam Brennan for her assistance.
The Days Following
Lower Lundale, after the flood, 1972 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. 456911
Lower Lundale, after the flood, 1972 courtesy of Brandon Ray Kirk. 456911
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos fromy the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos fromy the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins. The home of Ruby Atkins before the flood with Charles Adkins in front of the door.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins. The home of Ruby Atkins before the flood with Charles Adkins in front of the door.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Disaster photos from the collection of Charles (Bobby Joe) Adkins courtesy of his son, Charles Adkins.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood - the days following. Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood - the days following. Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood - the days following. Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood - the days following. Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood - the days following. Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood - the days following. Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Flood courtesy of Corby Walls.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Stowe, West Virginia. Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Stowe, West Virginia. Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Stowe, West Virginia. Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Stowe, West Virginia. Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Cranco, West Virginia, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Cranco, West Virginia, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lorado, West Virginia, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lorado, West Virginia, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lower Lundale, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lower Lundale, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lundale Store in the upper left, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lundale Store in the upper left, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Saunders, West Virginia. Where the dam was located, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Saunders, West Virginia. Where the dam was located, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lundale, West Virginia. The red car belonged to Grant and Betty (Ellis) Lawrence. Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lundale, West Virginia. The red car belonged to Grant and Betty (Ellis) Lawrence. Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lundale, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Lundale, Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Buffalo Creek Disaster courtesy of Paula Wells.
Terrible disaster. I see a photo of the
Grade School. Is there a photo of Buffalo High School?
This was an egregious event caused by irresponsible people.
Anyone, who holds to the belief that this was an Act of God, is delusional.
This wasn’t no ack of God it was the irresponsible work if a bunch of greedy coal people and the state of w.va and the US gov.
Do they still have Memorial Services on the anniversary of this disaster at the Museum at the library in Man, West Virginia?
Maybe you could look up the phone #
for the Museum & call them.
It was indeed an impoundment, never intended or built to hold back water until MSHA or the DNR made the company stop turning the water loose. Slate had been dumped on that site by several other coal companies for over 75 years. Pittston built two smaller coffer dams above the main slag pile to filter the water, but 4 inches of rain that night was just too much. The first one overflowed, then the second, resulting in the main slag piles’ bottom to be pushed away. This resulted was water hitting hot coals causing steam under pressure, thus the explosion. It was “an Act of God,” as stated in the final report. I guess that is why Gov. Moore charged Pittston only 1 million dollars for the clean up. It was a terrible disaster, many lives lost, some never found or identified, and utter devastation to homes, communities, and health problems for years to come. I had several family members and friends effected by this.
Thanks for the pitchers I go back to buffalo creek a lot mom’s in still buried there was born in Colorado and can recognize it any more it’s changed so much but it will always be home no matter where I am
Lorado
Looking at property in our area brought remembrance of the flood at Buffalo Creek. I was 22 when this happened and I remember hearing about it but I had no idea of the devastation of the area and the loss of property and life. Thanks so much for sharing. It certainly gives me better perspective on your history.
Thank you for these pictures. It is so important that this is not forgotten.