Katrina Not the First or the Worst U.S. Natural Diaster The media is again demonstrating its lack of awareness of American history. Nearly everyday the media claims that Katrina was the worse natural disaster that has ever visited American shores, but on Memorial Day weekend in 1889 an emerging iron city in western Pennsylvania found itself submerged with floods that will likely prove to be still more devastating than Katrina. The Johnstown flood claimed the lives 2,209 people and an estimated 1,600 homes. Like Katrina, the Johnstown disaster raised issues of the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Arguably, the Johnstown flood revealed an even larger gap between the classes, for it was the wealthy that were responsible for the calamity. It was the summer home lake resort owned by many of Pittsburgh's steel, iron, and financial tycoons that sent torrents through the Conemaugh Valley. David McCullough's Johnstown Flood , widely considered the best written book about the Johnstown disaster, addresses the social history, the cause, responsibility, and effects of the Johnstown flood. This book would make an excellent resource for government leaders at all levels, especially those who find themselves responsible for disaster prevention and relief efforts. Like New Orleans, there was a great cry of public sentiment to support the rebuilding efforts of Johnstown. Sadly, history would repeat itself with two subsequent floods in 1936 and 1977 where loss of life also occurred. Although the destruction from the first flood was increased by man’s carelessness, it is unfair to contend that Johnstown would have escaped flooding in 1889. Why do we rebuild in cities that are prone to such devastation? How can we with clear conscience rebuild without carefully weighing the value of human life and the financial burden that we all bear when such loss occurs. Perhaps we rebuild at these places because ultimately, we think that we are smarter and more powerful than God. After all, surely we know enough about technology and weather and nature itself to outfox storms. And why would we admit that there are things beyond our control? In the end, the problems surrounding Katrina and the folly of casting blame and convincing ourselves that we can build the city safe enough to protect it from destruction next time are age old issues, not new or unique to Katrina and New Orleans. Let us learn our lessons from Johnstown and rebuild with great caution and prudence.