The Johnstown Flood

The Johnstown Flood occurred on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam, holding back the city's reservoir in Pennsylvania, failed after heavy rains. The breach released approximately 20 million tons of water, rushing downstream at high speed. The flood devastated the town of Johnstown, destroying homes, bridges, and killing over 2,200 people. It was a major disaster caused by engineering flaws, poor maintenance, and intense rainfall, highlighting the dangers of inadequate infrastructure and the importance of proper engineering standards.