The Johnstown Flood of 1889
Today is the last day of May though, lately, here in upstate New York it's been feeling more like October. May was a busy month, the highlight of which was a visit to Johnstown, Pennsylvania for a three day meet and greet with hundreds of students from Johnstown and neighboring areas. Together we celebrated their annual One Book, One Community Event. Johnstown, Pennsylvania is the setting for my 2020 Novel-in-Verse, Flooded, Requiem for Johnstown . Flooded is the story of the Johnstown flood of 1889, which until September 11, 2001, was the largest loss of American life in one day. 2,209 people died including 99 entire families and 396 children. While little remembered outside of Pennsylvania, the flood should be a memorable event for everyone. People from around the world sent money and supplies. It was the first time Clara Barton and the American Red Cross was used for peace-time relief. Facts about the 1889 Johnstown Flood are easily researched— On May 31...
