It seems that the U.S. disasters that took the most lives happened the furthest back in time and from natural causes. The largest loss of life occurred in 1900 when a hurricane wiped out Galveston Island, Texas. It claimed 6000 to 12,000 lives. Since there were so many lost or missing, an accurate account could never be determined, but even the low number is still the highest loss of life that I could find and only shared that position with the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco where 3,000 to 6,000 casualties happened.
The next, or 3rd most deadly disaster was also a hurricane that killed 3,000+ and caused huge amounts of damage. The 4th disaster in loss of life was man made. It was caused by terrorism when the hijacked airliners hit the twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon in D.C. That caused over a billion dollars in damage, which is just a drop in the bucket compared to 108 billion that Hurricane Katrina caused, which was (so far) the costliest natural disaster in the history of the U.S.
The weatherman is calling for more rain, just what this rain-soaked and flooded area needs. I guess those poor people who just got flooded out in Houston should hold off on the clean up. Now make sure you all stay far away from any disaster and have a great day, you hear?
Now there I was thinking you were going to talk about certain political leaders . . .
ReplyDeleteNo, a post about them would be way too long. . . but that is a good idea.
DeleteYou missed the worst natural disaster to ever happen on this earth, the day I was born. The destruction from that event is still ongoing.
ReplyDeleteDang, I guess I should always stay way out in front of you if you leave a path of destruction. I always wanted to go to the Big Bend National Park but since you were there, I guess you left a path of destruction. So I will take that off my to do list.
DeleteYep it was a fertile paradise before I went there.
DeleteOn November 5, 1930, the Millfield (Ohio) Mine Disaster killed 82 men. Two of those men were my mother's brothers. Another brother worked there but was off that day. Two of her sisters husbands were working but survived. While it didn't affect the whole nation.. or even other parts of Ohio, it sure affected every family in that tiny mining town.
ReplyDeleteI looked that up and that was terrible. It said it was caused by a spark between a fallen trolley wire and the rail in an area of gas build-up. Shaft mining has always been a dangerous occupation and mining for coal also cause black lung disease. Men had to do what they could to support their families.
DeleteThat's horrible, to lose family that way.
DeleteI agree with Trouble, it was horrible that the Odd Essay's mother's brothers were lost in a mine disaster.
DeleteThe weathermen down here are practically wringing their hands in glee, waiting for hurricane season. They say we are long overdue, and if we don't get one, they'll be without reason to live. Personally, I'm surprised we haven't been hit in the last five years. Mostly because WE live here.
ReplyDeleteI've always been scared of wind, so we're outta here if one gets to category 3. Keep your RV handy for company.
Yes, both your area and mine are way past due for a bad hurricane. Of course, I could go the rest of my life and not feel bad about not seeing any more hurricanes.
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