Tag: Pittston Coal Company

January 14, 1977: Governor Moore Accepts $1 Million Settlement

On January 14, 1977, Governor Arch Moore accepted a $1 million settlement from the Pittston Coal Company related to the 1972 Buffalo Creek Flood. It was one of many lawsuits filed against Pittston after an improperly built coal dam collapsed, unleashing a muddy torrent that killed 125 people. 

In 1974, 645 survivors of the flood and family members reached a settlement with Pittston for $13.5 million, averaging out to $13,000 for each plaintiff after legal fees. West Virginia’s own lawsuit against Pittston had initially asked for $100 million for damages to state property and losses to residents. The case dragged on for years until Governor Moore settled the $100 million case for $1 million just three days before leaving office.

The deal dogged Moore for the rest of his career. Having faced several corruption allegations when serving as governor, Moore left office with a further blemish on his record. The state later had to pay the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers more than $9 million for recovery work along Buffalo Creek.

The flood prompted Congress and West Virginia to pass new laws regulating dam construction and maintenance.

February 26, 1972: Coal Mining Dam Collapses in Buffalo Creek

 On February 26, 1972, a coal mining dam collapsed at the head of Buffalo Creek in Logan County. Over the next three hours, 132-million gallons of black water raged down the hollow. The deluge obliterated or badly damaged 17 communities and claimed the lives of 125 people, including entire families. The disaster also injured 1000 people and left 80 percent of Buffalo Creek’s residents homeless.

The collapsed dam was owned by a division of the Pittston Coal Company. Officials with Pittston attributed the flood to heavy rains, calling it “an act of God.” However, state and federal investigations pinned the blame squarely on Pittston, saying that company officials had “shown flagrant disregard for the safety of residents.” Survivors and the victims’ family members reached an out-of-court settlement with Pittston that averaged $13,000 per person after legal fees. West Virginia filed its own suit against the company. It was settled by Governor Arch Moore before he left office in 1977.

The Buffalo Creek Flood eventually led to new state and federal laws regulating dam construction and maintenance. It remains one of the country’s worst mining-related disasters.

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