On February 26, 1972, a coal waste dam on Buffalo Creek in Logan County collapsed, releasing 132 million gallons of water, coal waste, and silt. The flood destroyed 17 communities downstream, killing 125 people and injuring 1,000. Over 500 homes were destroyed, and 4,000 residents were left homeless. The Buffalo Mining Company owned the dams, which state investigators had previously cited for poor construction, but the company ignored the safety concerns.

After the disaster, survivors sued the company for damages, settling for about $13,000/each after legal fees. The tragedy led to new laws regulating dam construction and safety to prevent similar disasters in the future.