Modern Marvels: The Buffalo Creek Disaster

[duleybonkers]

Furthermore, from what I have been told Gov. Arch Moore (who was governor of WV at the time of the Buffalo Creek disaster) refused to give any state relief funding to the citizens of Buffalo Creek who lost their homes, their families, everything they had. What amazes me even more after that is that years later the people of this state elected that son-of-a-bitch to serve as governor yet again. I guess people in WV are gluttons for punishment. Coal is killing us all with each passing day.

[duleybonkers]

I say "FUCK the coal industry and everything to do with it." The only people benefiting from it are a handful of miners and contractors. WV would be about more than coal if WV would allow itself to be about more than coal. This state is not dependent upon coal, those who make all the money off if are the ones who are dependent upon coal so don't be fooled by their false propaganda. The miners may make good money but they too are made to suffer. The coal industry is EVIL in every way!

[downjustice]

those flood waters killed my grandmother who I never met. My grandfather was one of the leading people in the lawsuit against Pittston, Dennis Prince.

[BASS01100]

An early example of how much the coal operators in WV care about the communities affected by their mining operations. Sure, something has to be done with the refuse from the prep plants after cleaning coal but even in 1972 there were better ways to dispose of mine refuse, safer ways, but that would have cost the companies a little more money than to just pile up the gob and let the water dam up behind it. The same penny pinching attitude is prevalent yet today within the coal industry.

[kimmiegirl2010]

Excellent!

[tripled63]

Just another example of how complete ignorance and poor regulation leads to families dying and people left homeless with a mere 13,000 dollars to start a new life. Pittston Co. is scum.

[koolwater532002]

don't have to read the book i I lived it...... my hole family live in buffalo creek the little town called lorado,, almost in seeing dis. from were the dam broke, lose everything. the most preshest thing that we lost was my grandpaw rosco clay he was never found...alway wonder as to were he at.. why he was never found. it stay in your mine and heart..

[baisden77]

@1johncain . . . Unfortunately dude. . . Its not about engineering here in Southern WV. . . Its about how much the coal companies can get away with for as little as they can!!!

[cardinalsboi22]

The WV Ad Hoc Commission of Inquiry into the Buffalo Creek Flood said it best in its report:

"The Pittson Company, through its officals, has shown flagrant disreguard for the safety of residence of Buffalo Creek and the other persons who live near coal-refuse impoundments. This attitude appears to be prevalent through-out much of the coal industry."

The same is yet still true today in 2010.

[Methadone4Life]

Massey is just another Pittston..except worse. Don BlankenSHIT has ruined WV mining. I hope they break Masseys back.

[cardinalsboi22]

@Methadone4Life You are right...Im currently reading the book "The Buffalo Creek Disaster" by Gerald Stern, the lawyer to represented the Buffalo Creek victims. If you read the book, and then look at Masseys actions in their Upper Big Branch disaster, you'll see that both Massey and Pittstons actions are very similar. Even right down to offering money ($3 million) to victims family so they wont/cant sue.