|
Another Buffalo Creek?
One hundred twenty-five people were killed in the Buffalo Creek Disaster. Thirty-five years later, some believe similar threats still exist -- and nothing's being done about them.
Reporter: Laurabree AustinEmail Address: laurabree.austin@wsaz.com |
|
It was one of the worst disasters in West Virginia's history.
One hundred twenty-five people were killed in the Buffalo Creek Disaster. Thousands more were injured in the coal sludge flood that destroyed a community. Thirty-five years later, some believe similar threats still exist -- and nothing's being done about them.
Survivor Arley Johnson remembers, “This was black slimy water, and it moved houses and railroad tracks and cars and trees, and when the bodies were left they were all black and slimy and had to be washed to see who it was.”
The flood of coal waste caused devastation beyond anyone's comprehension.
And today….Johnson sees similar problems with the mining industry.
He says, “They shouldn't be trying to prove that their extractions have not caused problems, common sense will tell them they've caused some problems and they should be working with communities to put back what's been taken out and that's never happened. It always comes with a fight and that's unfortunate.”
Donetta Blankenship, who's from Mingo County, believes her liver disease was caused by nearby mines. “This [water] comes out our sink. Sometimes it goes through a filter and comes out clear but still has chemicals in it, but the other is when it didn't go through a filter. It comes out, you can see the sludge.”
Others who've been fighting for a new Marsh Fork Elementary School in Raleigh County-- see similarities to Buffalo Creek that terrify them.
On Monday the House passed a resolution asking for a study of sludge underground injection.
Organizers say they're glad to see movement but they're worried about what could happen during the year-long study.
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- Death of Kerrigan's dad ruled homicide; family disagrees
- Report: Iran protester sentenced to die
- Obama open to small steps on jobs
- 10-20 inches of snow forecast for D.C.
- Travelers face canceled flights, delays
- Prius success story stalls after recall
- Mrs. Obama to kids: Let's Move
- Iran ramps up uranium enrichment
- Airline to charge $8 for blankets
- Obama holds bipartisan talks on jobs
- American Airlines to charge $8 for blankets
- Death of Kerrigan's father ruled a homicide
- No relief for snowed-under Washington
- Toyota recalls may not solve problem, experts say
- Cool Betty White is red-hot
- Michelle Obama launching campaign against childhood obesity
- Americans jailed in Haiti had Dominican OK, lawyer says
- Orthodox Jews fall ill in mumps outbreak
- Rep. John Murtha dies after intestines nicked in surgery
- Real-life 'Avatar' story in India
- Report: Iran protester sentenced to death
- Nuke fears rise as Iran ramps up uranium enrichment
- Opposition leaders: Sri Lankan general's arrest 'an abduction'
- Ukraine's Yanukovich: I'm no Kremlin stooge
- Doctors: Haitian may have survived 4 weeks in rubble
- Haiti officer: Missionaries tried before
- UK's Afghan casualties pass Falklands toll
- Sources: Pakistani Taliban leader is dead
- Japanese firm ordered to fix airline seats
- Kerrigan dad's death ruled a homicide
- Joe Jackson: Dr. Murray just 'a fall guy'
- What is involuntary manslaughter?
- Police: Iraq vet tortures child over ABC's
- Officer: U.S. missionaries tried to take kids before
- Smart's captor pleads guilty to second kidnap try
- Exonerated man, accuser forge rare bond
- Three shot during Super Bowl celebrations in New Orleans
- Former Edwards aide in contempt over sex tape
- Clues sought in Virginia Tech student's death
- How to talk to your kids about healthy eating
- Mediterranean diet may help prevent dementia, study says
- How to fight childhood obesity in 3 steps
- Study: Older moms' kids have higher autism risk
- Michelle Obama's obesity campaign
- An engineer's quest to caption the Web
- More than 1,000 get mumps in NY, NJ
- Study: 'Electronic cigarettes' don't deliver
- Michelle Obama's war on childhood obesity
- Jackson doc charged with manslaughter
- Alex Wolff: Shani Davis still stands -- and skates -- apart from U.S. team
- More stars to watch in Olympic speedskating
- George Dohrmann: Story behind NCAA violations in Arizona basketball program
- Autopsy: Death of Kerrigan's dad ruled homicide
- Six NHL teams to open 2010-11 season in Europe
- With storm looming, Virginia-Maryland postponed
- McEnroe says Federer is best men's player ever
- Cavs' West could return to face Nets on Tuesday
- Thunder star Durant will defend H-O-R-S-E crown
- Rivals' recruiter of the year
- Slick Roadways Cause Accidents Throughout Kanawha County
- Another Aborted Takeoff at Yeager Airport; Runway Reopens
- Cabell County Man Killed in West Virginia Turnpike Crash
- Sheriff: Search Turns Up Pills From Florida; Couple Arrested
- Huntington Utilizes Volunteer Police Officers
- Armed Robbery Reported at Speedway
- Three-Vehicle Crash on W.Va. Turnpike; Northbound Lanes Reopen
- The Judds Plan to Reunite for Concert Tour
- Charges Dropped Against Roane County Teacher Accused of Inappropriate Text Messages
- W.Va. Gov Declares State of Emergency Due to Storm
- DuPont Plant in Belle Remains on Safety Stand-down
102 Comments - Sheriff: Search Turns Up Pills From Florida; Couple Arrested
54 Comments - Cabell County Man Killed in West Virginia Turnpike Crash
38 Comments - Another Aborted Takeoff at Yeager Airport; Runway Reopens
33 Comments - Charges Dropped Against Roane County Teacher Accused of Inappropriate Text Messages
28 Comments - Police say Jail Escape Plan Foiled
27 Comments
![]() |
| PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354 |
![]() |
Full 2010 Olympic coverage from the WSAZ Olympic Zone. |
![]() |
Healthy Connections Find a local health professional |
| Healthy Tri-State Tips to live a healthier lifestyle |
|
| WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers |
|
| SOMC Very good things are happening here |
|
![]() |
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting. |
| Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs |





