Even though their hometowns were nearly wiped off the map, the survivors of the Great Johnstown (PA) Flood of 1889 almost immediately began rebuilding their homes and businesses. It is a wonder that everyone didn’t abandon the ravaged Conemaugh Valley! The enormity of personal and financial loss makes rebuilding even more unimaginable.

Rebuilding destroyed towns happened in stages and took several years:

1. Rescue of survivors immediately after the Flood;
2. Recovery of victims’ bodies and clearing debris;
3. Relief efforts fueled by an huge out-pouring of public charity, including the Red Cross’ first disaster relief effort;
4. Rebuilding the communities, politically and physically.
5. Remembering those lost and the lessons learned.

The decision whether to rebuild or move on was a personal, as well as a community, decision. Many residents, who lost every family and physical tie to Johnstown, did move on. Others who went to stay out-of-town with friends or relatives simply stayed away.

Most of the flood survivors did stay in the Valley. Cambria Iron and Steel rebuilt its mill and people got back to work. Incredibly, by 1910, Johnstown’s population had more than doubled since 1889. Its steel production had quadrupled!

Amazingly, survivors of the Johnstown Flood of 1889 were mostly able to put the horrors of the Flood behind them. The Hurricane Katrina disaster teaches us that maybe we should not be so quick to forget!

This story would be inspirational any time. It is especially inspiring now, as western Pennsylvania rebuilds after economic damage caused by the downfall of American coal, steel, and other heavy industries.