Disaster Tales

New Madrid Earthquakes

From December 16th, 1811 to February 7th 1812, the area where the boot heel of Missouri meets Tennessee and Kentucky were devastated by over 2,000 earthquakes. The initial quakes were so strong they rang church bells in Boston and woke President Madison and his wife Dolly from their sleep in Washington, D.C.  Lakes drained, steaming hot sulphur geysers blew up from the ground and the Mississippi River ran backwards.  This often overlooked seismic area is still active today.

Saint Francis Dam Failure

Three minutes before midnight March 12th, 1928, the Saint Francis Dam near Santa Clarita, California catastrophically failed.  This is the second-greatest loss of life in California's history after the 1906 Earthquake. Find out how a series of poor decisions put hundreds of people in harm's way. 

San Francisco Earthquake and Fire

The morning of April 18th, 1906, the city of San Francisco was struck by a 7.1 earthquake. The quake and resultant fire killed over 3,000 people and left nearly 200,000 homeless.  This episodes includes contemporary, on site interviews conducted in 1906.

Fires That Changed America - Triangle and Binghamton Factory Fires

In the early 20th century labor unions were beginning to work for changes in safety and health laws at the workplace. But it took two factory fires and hundreds of deaths to finally get the attention of the legislature. The Triangle Waist Factory in New York City and the Binghamton Clothing Factory in Binghamton, New York changed the lives of workers nationwide.

California's Camp Fire 2018

California's deadly Camp Fire killed 85 and completely destroyed the small town of Paradise.  Kate and co host John Horrell discuss the fire and consequent conversations about planning and warnings.

2004 Florida Hurricanes

In 2004 Florida was hit by 4 major hurricanes: Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.  By the end of September every single county in the state had a disaster declaration.  Kate and her friend John Horrell discuss their experiences.

Hurricane Audrey

Hurricane Audrey wreaked havoc in Louisiana in 1957.  This episode includes first hand accounts from survivors.  

Love Canal Environmental Disaster

Love Canal's Environmental Disaster was over a century in the making.  Hundreds of people suffered the effects of toxins and carcinogens until the US government stepped in.  This disaster sparked legislation that created the EPA and the Superfund program.