Eastman_Johnstown Flood of 1889

Johnstown Flood of 1889:

Johnstown Flood of 1889 Kelly Eastman, RN

Johnstown, PA:

Johnstown, PA Johnstown South Fork Dam Stony Creek Conemaugh River South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club

Johnstown :

Johnstown Built on level flood plain between two rivers, Little Conemaugh and Stony Creek, which converge at Johnstown forming the Conemaugh River Located east of Pittsburgh 14 miles downhill from Stony Creek Reservoir Formed as a mill town for steel Many workers lived on the riverbanks in shabby pine board company houses Nearly 30,000 people living in the valley in 1889

South Fork Dam:

South Fork Dam Conemaugh River used as transportation between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Dam constructed between 1840-1852 to provide water during dry months Earthen dam built with clay, earth, rocks, and logs Became obsolete in 1852 after the Pennsylvania RR came through the area Sold several times until bought by Benjamin Ruff in 1879 for summer retreat for wealthy Pittsburgh families

South Fork Dam:

South Fork Dam

South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club:

South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club Land and dam owned and maintained by group of wealthy men Elite resort built in 1881 for very wealthy Pittsburgh society Members included Andrew Carnegie Huge clubhouse, multiple “cottages”, boathouses, boats Attempted to “fix” dam after purchase but then neglected dam repairs despite multiple leaks

Before the Flood:

Before the Flood Conemaugh River prone to flooding Residents becoming complacent with real danger of dam Towns spreading, land cleared Resulted in worsening flooding every year, usually 2 feet of water on streets

The Storm:

The Storm May 28, 1889- Storm started in Nebraska Hit Johnstown area May 30, worst rainfall ever recorded in the area with 6-10” in 24 hours Creeks and rivers rushing People continued with daily lives “Just another flood”

Timeline of Events May 31, 1889:

Timeline of Events May 31, 1889 0800 : Water only 2 ½ feet from top of dam 0900 : Workers tried to remove storm debris from clogged spillway screens; trench 1 ½ deep dug to drain 1000 : Water less than 1’ from top of dam, rising 1” every 10 minutes from runoff 1100 : Water level even with dam rim, attempts to build up top of dam 1130 : Water started over dam Telegraph sent to valley Not taken seriously, never made it to townspeople

Timeline of Events, cont.:

Timeline of Events, cont. 1230 : Water rushing 6” over rim at 123 tons per second Quickly washed away built up portion of dam, rocks 1400 : Huge section from center of dam falls 1510 : Entire repair section breaks free Dumped 20 million tons of water in 45 minutes 1607 : Water and debris crossed into Johnstown city limits 1617 : Approximate time flood waters calmed

Wreckage:

Wreckage

The Flood:

The Flood 60’ high wall of trees, animals, houses, water, and people moving at 40mph Took out everything in its path 4 minutes after hitting Johnstown wall of water and debris hit a hillside and came back through the town Debris built up against the bridge 40’ high and over 30 acres Included boxcars, factory buildings, homes, animals, people, both dead and alive Caught on fire after dark, killing over 80 people

Johnstown Photos:

Johnstown Photos

Relief and Recovery:

Relief and Recovery Milling process began Minimal looting 100+ journalists sent to cover story World-wide attention Supplies sent from all over Lumber, money, food, clothing Doctors and nurses come from big cities Police force of 75 men formed Red Cross and Clara Barton come to help

Red Cross and Clara Barton :

Red Cross and Clara Barton First major event for Red Cross Led by Clara Barton Set up distribution of donations & money for survivors 6 two-story hotels built 2 large tent hospitals Clean up and reconstruction began immediately Main Street shops opened July 1 Cambria Iron Company opened July 6 Town completely rebuilt in 5 years

Aftermath:

Aftermath Final count of 2, 209 dead 99 entire families killed Hundreds of orphans, widows, and widowers Third most deadly disaster in American history (after Pearl Harbor and September 11, 2001 ) Lawsuit against South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club Found not guilty “Act of God” No compensation for victims

Emergency Management Implications:

Emergency Management Implications No legal or regulatory changes after 1889 flood NGO only emergency resource (Red Cross) 1913 Austin, PA dam collapse 1936 Flood Control Act 1996 National Dam Safety Program Act Increased FEMA’s authority to provide state assistance for strengthing their own dam safety program