Tag: Johnstown Flood

Johnstown, Pennsylvania observes 125th anniversary of devastating flood

Citizens stand atop the ruins of houses destroyed in the 1889 file photo showing the aftermath of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood. The historic disaster's 125th anniversary is May 31, 2014.
Citizens stand atop the ruins of houses destroyed in the 1889 file photo showing the aftermath of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood. The historic disaster’s 125th anniversary is May 31, 2014.

KEVIN BEGOS
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — A privately owned dam collapsed in western Pennsylvania 125 years ago on May 31, 1889, unleashing a flood that killed 2,209 people. The terrible stories from the Johnstown Flood of 1889 are still part of lore because of the gruesome nature of many of the deaths and the key role it played in the rise of the American Red Cross. Here is some of what is known about the flood, one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Continue reading Johnstown, Pennsylvania observes 125th anniversary of devastating flood