a somber tone, detailing the sudden catastrophe that struck the towns along the Conemaugh River. It vividly recounts the build-up of water pressure behind the South Fork dam and the subsequent rush of floodwaters that obliterated homes, swept away families, and left the area in chaos. Eyewitness accounts are introduced, showcasing both the desperate struggle of residents attempting to escape and the harrowing sights of those caught in the flood’s wake, emphasizing the scale of destruction and the heartbreaking stories of loss interspersed with acts of bravery. The message is clear from the outset: the disaster affected not just Johnstown but resonated throughout the country, evoking widespread sympathy and calls for aid in the aftermath. (This is an automatically generated summary.)