The Buffalo Creek Disaster

How the Survivors of One of the Worst Disasters in Coal-Mining History Brought Suit Against the Coal Company--And Won

Ranked #85 in Law

One Saturday morning in February 1972, an impoundment dam owned by the Pittston Coal Company burst, sending a 130 million gallon, 25 foot tidal wave of water, sludge, and debris crashing into southern West Virginia's Buffalo Creek hollow. It was one of the deadliest floods in U.S. history. 125 people were killed instantly, more than 1,000 were injured, and over 4,000 were suddenly homeless. Instead of accepting the small settlements offered by the coal company's insurance offices, a few hundred of the survivors banded together to sue. This is the story of their triumph over incredible odds... more

Similar Books

If you like The Buffalo Creek Disaster, check out these similar top-rated books:


Learn: What makes Shortform summaries the best in the world?