The Johnstown Pennsylvania Flood
On May 31, 1889, following an unprecedented storm, the South Fork Dam near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, burst, unleashing a catastrophic flood. The Conemaugh River surged, reaching heights of 60 feet and traveling at 40 miles per hour, devastating the town and its surroundings. Despite warnings, many residents were caught off guard, leading to approximately 2,200 deaths. Debris fires and the destruction of structures like the Stone Bridge added to the horror, marking the flood as one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history.