The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man

Where to watch · United States

Not on any service here yet.

The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man (1975)

Directed by Mimi Pickering

Documentary · 40m

In 1972 a coal-waste dam owned by the Pittston Company collapsed at the head of a crowded hollow in southern West Virginia. A wall of sludge, debris, and water tore through the valley below, leaving in its wake 125 dead and 4,000 homeless. Interviews with survivors, representatives of union and citizen’s groups, and officials of the Pittston Company are juxtaposed with actual footage of the flood and scenes of the ensuing devastation. As reasons for the disaster are sought out and examined, evidence mounts that company officials knew of the hazard in advance of the flood, and that the dam was in violation of state and federal regulations. The Pittston Company, however, continued to deny any wrongdoing, maintaining that the disaster was an “act of God.”

Rate it first

No account needed. Others' takes stay sealed until you rate.

?/10

Crew

Director
Mimi Pickering

Details

Release date
1975-12-31
Runtime
40m
Genres
Documentary
Original language
EN
Spoken languages
English