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The Johnstown Flood
The Johnstown Flood occurred when a dam, holding 20 million tons of water failed. When the dam broke, a 40-foot high wall of water poured down on Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In just mere minutes, the water destroyed 1,600 homes and killed 2,209 people. Body were later found as far as Cincinnati, Ohio. -
The Great Galveston Storm
On September 8, 1900, a hurricane hit Galveston, Texas, bearing 140 mph winds, consequently generating a 16-foot storm surge. The storm ripped trolley tracks from their moorings, crushed buildings, and other extreme damages. Considered the deadliest natural disaster in United States history, an estimated 6,000-8,000 people were killed. -
The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
At 5:12 AM, the Northern California city of San Francisco was hit with a 7.9-magnitude earthquake. The shaking created a fissure along the San Andreas fault, stretching 296 miles. The earthquake caused buildings to crumble, and tore through the streets of the city. However, gas lines that were broken as a result of the earthquake hundreds of fire began to spread throughout San Francisco. Consuming nearly 500 city blocks and killing more than 3,000 people, the fire continued for 3 days.