Today is the 48th anniversary of the 1977 Johnstown Flood, in which eighty people were killed and eight more went missing and were never found
The flood occurred when about twelve inches of rain fell in a matter of hours, causing six dams to fail in succession and sending more than 128 million gallons of water roaring through the Conemaugh valley. The community of Tanneryville, in the Johnstown area, suffered the most loss of life, with 39 people dead or missing.
In Indiana County, many communities flooded, with major damage in Clymer and in Blairsville. The small community of Robindale was wiped out and rendered uninhabitable. It was relocated to a nearby location and named Robindale Heights.
The flood was commemorated last night with a special Blue Mass and blessing of emergency vehicles and equipment at Holy Family Parish in Seward, a community which lost seven people.
