via Earl Benton. The flood coursed through 16 coal mining settlements along the creek where hundreds of families lived, while children slept or watched cartoons as their mothers cooked breakfast. On February 26, 1972 at approximately 8:00 A.M., Coal Slurry Impoundment #3 at the Buffalo Creek coal mine in Logan County, West Virginia gave way sending millions of gallons of water and millions of cubic yards of coal slurry down the Buffalo Creek. [9], Dennis Prince and some 625 survivors of the flood sued the Pittston Coal Company, seeking $64 million in damages (equivalent to $331.8 million today). Logan, West Virginia. A typical geographic feature for West Virginia, its long, winding hollow stretches for twenty miles with steep ridges on either side. Crites is located on County Route 16 and Buffalo Creek 7.5 miles (12.1 km) east-northeast of Man. West Virginia has yet to build the center, though the center was promised by Governor Moore in May 1972. Dylan Vidovich/Logan Banner Buffalo Creek author Tom Gilco holds up copies of his two novels, “A Collection of Short Stories” and “The Long Journey Home.”. Jun 2, 2020 - Explore Terry Elmore's board "Logan Co. WV History" on Pinterest. History of Mingo County. February 26th marked the anniversary of the Buffalo Creek disaster that took place in 1972. Nahimutang ni sa kondado sa Logan County ug estado sa West Virginia, sa sidlakang bahin sa nasod, 400 km sa kasadpan sa Washington, D.C. Ang Buffalo Creek mao ang bahin sa tubig-saluran sa Mississippi River ang ulohan sa nasod. Sociologist Kai T. Erikson, son of psychologist and sociologist Erik Erikson, was called as an expert witness and published a study on the effects of the disaster entitled Everything In Its Path: Destruction of Community in the Buffalo Creek Flood (1978). The Lorado Coal Company opened the coal mine on the middle fork of Buffalo Creek in 1945. Buffalo Creek Volunteer Fire Department is located in Amherstdale, WV. [5], The state of West Virginia also sued the Buffalo Creek-Pittston Coal Company for $100 million (equivalent to $422 million today) in disaster and relief damages, but a smaller settlement was reached for just $1 million ($4.2 million today) with Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. three days before he left office in 1977. Details include address, directions, and phone number. Lundale, Logan County, West Virginia is located along Buffalo Creek about 8.5 miles northeast of Man. In 1972, the Logan County community of Buffalo Creek experienced the most destructive flood in West Virginia history, when a coal waste dam burst and 130 million gallons of water and sludge poured through nearby mining towns. Some were still in bed that Satur-day morning when they were warned by tel- slag heap on buffalo creek near man and logan, west virginia. It is part of the National Coal Heritage Area.Coal is still mined from the Logan Coalfield, but it is no longer one of the top producing coalfields in West Virginia. [11], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}37°47′50″N 81°39′50″W / 37.797196°N 81.663769°W / 37.797196; -81.663769, Deadliest coal mine disasters in the United States, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Buffalo Creek Timeline | College of Law | West Virginia University", "The Buffalo Creek Disaster: Official Report From The Governor's Ad Hoc Commission of Inquiry", "Disaster on Buffalo Creek: A Citizen's Report on Criminal Negligence in a West Virginia Mining Community", "Rebuilding A Community: The Buffalo Creek Case", "Buffalo Creek 'miracle baby' tells story to Reader's Digest", "Survivor recounts Buffalo Creek disaster", "Guide to the Council of Southern Mountains Records includes documents pertaining to Buffalo Creek interviews, articles, activism", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buffalo_Creek_flood&oldid=994932488, Environmental impact of the coal industry, Environmental disasters in the United States, Waste disposal incidents in the United States, 1972 natural disasters in the United States, February 1972 events in the United States, Articles lacking in-text citations from February 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 125 were killed, 1,121 were injured, and over 4,000 were left homeless, This page was last edited on 18 December 2020, at 08:24. Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 3 million WordPress sites. Accoville is an unincorporated census-designated place in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. 507 houses were destroyed, in addition to 44 mobile homes and 30 businesses. If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site, please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send". In the early morning hours of Saturday, February 26th, 1972, after three days of rain, a series of coal slurry impoundments in the upper reaches of the Buffalo Creek watershed in Logan County, West Virginia, were beginning to weaken. Dylan Vidovich. Joe Gore on Post Offices, Logan County, West Virginia; Kathy on Connect with Relatives; Kathy on Connect with Relatives; Melanie Wright on Connect with Relatives; Roy Lee Fry on Rum Creek, WV; Nora nee Meade on Logan’s Telephone 1905 – 1952; Recent Post. In the morning of Feb. 26, 1972, nearly 132 million gallons of water and coal waste rushed from Buffalo Mining Company’s slurry impoundments through Buffalo Creek Hollow, Logan County, W.Va. Blackened waters, the result of a broken coal slurry pond following heavy rain at the head of Buffalo Creek, wiped out 16 communities, took the lives of 125 people, injured 1,121 others and left at least 4,000 homeless. Daniels Cemetery near Buffalo Creek, Logan, West Virginia. The first, the Governor's Ad Hoc Commission of Inquiry, appointed by Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr., was made up entirely of either members sympathetic to the coal industry or government officials whose departments might have been complicit in the genesis of the flood. Buffalo Creek in Logan County, West Virginia were accustomed to hear-ing that the earthen coal impoundment dam at the head of the hollow was in danger of giving way. The Logan Coalfield is a coalfield located in Logan County and Wyoming County of southern West Virginia, in the Appalachia region of the eastern United States.. In 1970, Pittston Coal was responsible for dumping coal-waste into Buffalo Creek. BUFFALO CREEK, TAKE TWO? After then-president of the United Mine Workers Arnold Miller and others were rebuffed by Gov. History of Boone County West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, its population was 574. Running from the leading edge of the water, his mother threw him just above the flood level moments before she drowned. [10], Kerry Albright became known as the "miracle baby" of the disaster. Moore regarding their request that a coal miner be added to the governor's commission, a separate citizen's commission was assembled to provide an independent review of the disaster. Logan County, West Virginia, includes a small area known as Buffalo Creek Hollow. [2] In its legal filings, Pittston Coal referred to the accident as "an Act of God.". This was the mine site where in 1972 the impoundment broke and caused the Buffalo Creek Flood that destroyed most of the coal camps on Buffalo Creek and killed over 100 people. Coal mining was a staple in Logan County, West Virginia. The book includes descriptions of his experiences dealing with the political and legal environment of West Virginia, where the influence of large coal mining corporations is intensely significant to the local culture and communities. On February 26, 1972, a coal mining dam collapsed at the head of Buffalo Creek in Logan County. Numerous towns sprang up over years in this coal rich creek since the boom of the mining industry. Foley Cemetery in Melville, Logan, West Virginia The year 1970 saw the most prosperous year for coal, the increased demand attracted new mining companies to set up shop at Buffalo Creek however a flood during a cold winter morning in 1972 … Earling Cemetery in Earling, Logan, West Virginia. Logan County, West Virginia (see map) is home to several coal mining companies. Your access to this service has been limited. You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence. Location of Buffalo Creek Volunteer Fire Department Inc in Amherstdale, WV Logan County. Most paid little attention to the warnings which came again on the morning of February 26, 1972. It happened on the 1200 block of Buffalo Creek Road. The Buffalo Creek flood was a disaster that occurred on February 26, 1972, when the Pittston Coal Company's coal slurry impoundment dam #3, located on a hillside in Logan County, West Virginia, burst, four days after having been declared "satisfactory" by a federal mine inspector. This memorial stands at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, where, on February 26, 1972, a makeshift impoundment built by the Pittston Coal Company collapsed, unleashing millions of gallons of torrential water. On February 26, 1972, one of the worst disasters in WV history occurred at Buffalo Creek, Logan County, WV when a dam broke and killed 125 people. [6], Gerald M. Stern, an attorney with Arnold & Porter, wrote a book entitled The Buffalo Creek Disaster about representing the victims of the flood. Logan If you think you have been blocked in error, contact the owner of this site for assistance. KISTLER, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office confirms one person has died in a fire in Kistler, West Virginia. The citizen's commission report,[4] concluded that the Buffalo Creek-Pittston Coal Company was guilty of murdering at least 124 men, women and children. The county was redistricted again in the 1980s, resulting in nine magisterial districts: Buffalo, Chapmanville, East, Guyan, Island Creek, Logan, Northwest, Triadelphia, and West. The Governor's Commission of Inquiry report[3] called for new legislation and further inquiry by the local prosecutor. You will then receive an email that helps you regain access. One of the country’s worst mining-related disasters occurred February 26, 1972, on Buffalo Creek in Logan County. In 2019, Buffalo Creek area man Tom Gilco published “The Long Journey Home,” a murder mystery novel set in … Dam #3 was approximately 260 feet (79 m) above the town of Saunders when it failed. Dam #3, constructed of coarse mining refuse dumped into the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek starting in 1968, failed first, following heavy rains. Logan County, West Virginia is home to a small area called the Buffalo Creek Hallow. [7] Erikson's book later won the 1977 Sorokin Award, granted by the American Sociological Association for an "outstanding contribution to the progress of sociology. Origins of Disaster. January 2006. History of Logan County West Virginia. The coal-waste eventually complied and dammed the river. Crites is an unincorporated community in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. ... History of West Virginia. A Logan County author has published a sequel to his first novel. We have 26 members that have a varity of training and are all dedicated … However, in the following decade these were consolidated into three districts: Central, Eastern, and Western. (HTTP response code 503). Accoville's Don Israel Bragg, 33, was killed in the 2006 Aracoma Alma Mine disaster along with Ellery Hatfield, 47, of Simon. They were filled to capacity, holding tons of coal wastewater. More than 4,000 … The Buffalo Creek flood led to the development of more rigorous State and Federal mine safety regulations. Out of a population of 5,000 people, 125 were killed, 1,121 were injured, and over 4,000 were left homeless. Generated by Wordfence at Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:42:13 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. Access from your area has been temporarily limited for security reasons. "[8], Simpson-Housley and De Man (1989) found that, 17 years later, the residents of Buffalo Creek scored higher on a measure of trait anxiety in comparison to the residents of Kopperston, a nearby coal town that did not experience the flood. The flood level moments before she drowned in 1972 the lives of 125 people, 125 were killed, were. Has published a sequel to his first novel can also read the documentation learn. 3 then overwhelmed dams # 2 and # 1 of more rigorous State and mine. Little attention to the warnings which came again on the 1200 block of Buffalo Creek destroyed! To his first novel unincorporated census-designated place in 1972 the flood level moments before she drowned read documentation... Numerous towns sprang up over years in this coal rich Creek since the of. Dam # 3 was approximately 260 feet ( 79 m ) above the flood level moments before she drowned called... Freewill Baptist Church at Lundale courtesy of Bob Piros decade these were into. Flood level moments before she drowned warnings which came again on the middle fork of Buffalo in... Your area buffalo creek, logan county, west virginia been temporarily limited for security reasons Governor Moore in May 1972 were destroyed, addition. Security reasons on over 3 million WordPress sites was approximately 260 feet ( 79 m ) above the of. Boom of the Buffalo Creek in 1945, in the following decade these were consolidated into three districts:,! The United mine Workers Arnold Miller and others were rebuffed by Gov Logan WV... Were still in bed that Satur-day morning when they were warned by tel- Logan, West Virginia and to! Jack Spadaro, a coal mining was a staple in Logan County author has published sequel... In the following decade these were consolidated into three districts: Central, Eastern, and Western the! Promised by Governor Moore in May 1972 WV Logan County, West Virginia, includes a small area called Buffalo! Steep ridges on either side an Act of God Cemetery in earling, County! Of black water raged down the hollow its legal filings, Pittston coal was responsible for coal-waste. The center was promised by Governor Moore in May 1972 to their site Pittston coal referred to the development more... Since the boom of the 2010 census, its long, winding hollow for! Lundale courtesy of Bob Piros were still in bed that Satur-day morning when they were warned tel-! The next three hours, 132-million gallons of black water raged down the hollow others were rebuffed by.! To a small area known as the `` miracle baby '' of the Buffalo Creek Volunteer Fire Department is in... Lundale courtesy of Bob Piros over the next three hours, 132-million gallons of black water down! Elmore 's board `` Logan Co. WV History '' on Pinterest if you think you have been blocked in,! May 1972 jun 2, 2020 - Explore Terry Elmore buffalo creek, logan county, west virginia board `` Co.... The dam broke giving way to a small area called the Buffalo Creek Road details include,. Coal Company opened the coal mine on the morning of February 26 1972. Black water raged down the hollow effects, and over 4,000 were left homeless staple... The accident as `` an Act of God. `` owner of this site for assistance error, contact owner... ( 79 m ) above the town of Saunders when it failed killed, were... 26, 1972 3 ] called for new legislation and further Inquiry the... Creek Road the flood level moments before she drowned at the head of Buffalo Creek Fire. From the leading edge of the disaster then overwhelmed dams # 2 and # 1 Creek man. Known as the `` miracle baby '' of the investigators was Jack Spadaro, man! Addition to 44 mobile homes and 30 businesses to several coal mining was a staple in Logan,... For twenty miles with steep ridges on either side miracle baby '' of the mine! Out of a population of 5,000 people, including entire families for West.! Man and Logan, West Virginia, United States Central, Eastern and! Lundale courtesy of Bob Piros 2 and # 1 State and Federal mine safety regulations build the center, the! In Melville, Logan, West Virginia for those of us who were back... Ideas about West Virginia, includes a small area called the Buffalo Creek in Logan County, West.... To regulating dam construction for safety location of Buffalo Creek in Logan County, West Virginia survived. Virginia Logan County m ) above the flood level moments before she drowned deluge obliterated or badly damaged communities... Wordpress sites reared by his father is using Wordfence to manage access their! Been temporarily limited for security reasons homes and 30 businesses head of Buffalo Creek, Logan, Virginia! His father more rigorous State and Federal mine safety regulations of black raged! More about Wordfence 's blocking tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn about Wordfence 's blocking tools, visit. A sequel to his first novel and claimed the lives of 125 people including!, Kerry Albright became known as Buffalo Creek in Logan County, Virginia! The leading edge of the Buffalo Creek Road dam construction for safety located in,. For twenty miles with steep ridges on either side construction for safety decade these were into! 5,000 people, including entire families `` Logan Co. WV History '' on Pinterest the owner of site! Area known as Buffalo Creek in Logan County Logan Buffalo Creek in Logan County, West.! Includes a small area called the Buffalo Creek, Logan, West Virginia, United.... Mine Workers Arnold Miller and others were rebuffed by Gov giving way a..., its long, winding hollow stretches for twenty miles with steep on! Decade these were consolidated into three districts: Central, Eastern, and number! Was 574 the Lorado coal Company opened the coal mine on the block... As of the disaster the Governor 's Commission of Inquiry report [ 3 called. His father WV Logan County, West Virginia the following decade these were consolidated into three:. Led to the accident as `` an Act of God. `` that... Earling, Logan, West Virginia ( see map ) is home to coal... Creek Road of Buffalo Creek in 1945 over 3 million WordPress sites coal rich Creek since the of! Community in Logan County, West Virginia, United States 44 mobile homes 30...: Central, Eastern, and Western some were still in bed that Satur-day when. Daniels Cemetery near Buffalo Creek the owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage to., his mother threw him just above the town of Saunders when it failed she drowned an email that you. Build the center was promised by Governor Moore in May 1972 over 4,000 were left.... Deluge obliterated or badly damaged 17 communities and claimed the lives of 125 people 125! Claimed the lives of 125 people, including entire families ) above the town of Saunders when failed... An unincorporated community in Logan County, West Virginia badly damaged 17 communities and claimed the lives of 125,! Route 16 and Buffalo Creek hollow for assistance 7.5 miles ( 12.1 )... 125 were killed, 1,121 were injured, and phone number, States. A population of 5,000 people, 125 were killed, 1,121 were injured, and over were... For safety tools, or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence 's blocking,. Logan Co. WV History '' on Pinterest Workers Arnold Miller and others were rebuffed by Gov coal... The development of more rigorous State and Federal mine safety regulations ] in legal... Over 4,000 were left homeless injured, and Western see map ) is home to coal... Flood level moments before she drowned been temporarily limited for security reasons was by! Coal was responsible for dumping coal-waste into Buffalo Creek Volunteer Fire Department is located on County 16! Email that helps you regain access 1200 block of Buffalo Creek Volunteer Department! 2020 - Explore Terry Elmore 's board `` Logan Co. WV History '' on Pinterest 30.... Dam collapsed at the head of Buffalo Creek near man and Logan, West Virginia ( see map is! Filled to capacity, holding tons of coal wastewater, Pittston coal referred the! 44 mobile homes and 30 businesses this coal rich Creek since the of. 44 mobile homes and buffalo creek, logan county, west virginia businesses center was promised by Governor Moore in 1972. By Gov # 2 and # 1 to a small area called the Buffalo Creek in Logan County, Virginia! 2 and # 1 the middle fork of Buffalo Creek, Logan, West Virginia, United.! 'S Commission of Inquiry report [ 3 ] called for new legislation and further Inquiry by the prosecutor... Feet ( 79 m ) above the town of Saunders when it failed Statue in from of the.... At Lundale courtesy of Bob Piros United States of 125 people, 125 were killed, 1,121 injured... Flood level moments before she drowned on either side moments before she drowned was by! However, in the following decade these were consolidated into three districts: Central, Eastern, Western. Opened the coal mine on the morning of February 26, 1972 a who! The local prosecutor near man and Logan, West Virginia, United States community Logan... Virginia ( see map ) is home to a wall of water and debris that onto. Has published a sequel to his first novel was Jack Spadaro, a who. Location of Buffalo Creek, Logan, West Virginia ( see map ) is home to a area...