What were some of the worst flash floods in history?
The worst flood in U.S. history resulted from a dam break upstream from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1889. Although ample warnings were given, they were disregarded by many townspeople, and 2,200 residents died. On February 26, 1972, the Buffalo Creek Dam located in southern West Virginia collapsed sending a black wave of water through one coal mining town after another, and killing more than 100 people. Over 4,000 people were left homeless. A storm in northern Colorado dumped a foot of rain into the Big Thompson Canyon producing a raging torrent of water 19 feet high and resulting in 145 deaths.
