This article originally provided by The Logan Banner

February 26, 2007

Buffalo Creek flood to be remembered

By MICHAEL BROWNING, Managing Editor

Today marks 35 years since the Buffalo Creek flood left death and destruction in its wake.

Several events are planned in remembrance of the 35th anniversary of the Buffalo Creek flood.

A remembrance will be held today at the state Capitol in Charleston starting at 3 p.m. in the Upper Rotunda (House side).

The event will mark the 35th anniversary of the Feb. 26, 1972 Buffalo Creek disaster, in which 125 people were killed and more than 4,000 were left homeless when three coal waste dams failed.

Reverend Dennis Sparks, executive director of the West Virginia Council of Churches, will open the event with a prayer.

Arley Johnson, a Buffalo Creek disaster survivor and former West Virginia delegate, will speak.

Event organizers will show a short clip from Appalshop’s Buffalo Creek Revisited and filmmaker Bob Gates’ footage from the disaster. Other disaster survivors have been invited to speak. Snacks will be served.

The event is sponsored by the Sludge Safety Project, a collaborative effort of concerned citizens of Mingo County, Coal River Mountain Watch, and Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. For more information, go to www.sludgesafetyproject.org.

Other events are planned for the local area.

Buffalo Creek flood survivors, along with county residents, will be visiting the Buffalo Creek Memorial at Kistler in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Buffalo Creek Disaster. Visitors are asked to please sign the guestbook.

Also on Monday, a social gathering will be held for the Buffalo Creek Disaster survivors and their families at the Bethel Tabernacle at Davey Hollow at Lorado from 1-3 p.m.