Authored by: Anthony Finchum, Produced by: Kaitlin Finchum

Disastrous History: A Disasters of History Podcast

History EN ↓ 59 episodes

Welcome to the show where everything goes wrong, historically. A podcast covering disasters of all kinds throughout history. From tornadoes and earthquakes to mining disasters and arson. From the perspective of a professional fire investigator, I provide the history of the area, a breakdown of how and why the disaster occurs, a timeline of the event, and the resulting aftermath. Sometimes delving into the specific failure mechanisms that occurred if the disaster (or disasters) did not come from nature. Listen along as we go through them together.

Author

Authored by: Anthony Finchum, Produced by: Kaitlin Finchum

Episodes

You Have to Go Out, But You Don’t Have to Come Back: The White Hurricane 05.01.2022 58:12

This episode covers the White Hurricane of 1913.

You’re Two Days Nearer Death: The Donora Death Fog 31.12.2021 49:56

This week's episode covers the 1948 Donora Death Fog.

Smoke on the Horizon: The Grenfell Tower Fire 24.11.2021 1:16:27

This week's episode covers the 2017 Grenfell Tower Fire.

Rollin‘ On the River: Johnstown Flood of 1889 11.11.2021 46:44

This week's episode covers the Johnstown Flood of 1889.

The Story of the Hurricane: Hurricane Rita 21.10.2021 38:39

This episode covers Hurricane Rita on September 24, 2005.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland: The Year Without a Summer 12.10.2021 41:27

This week covers the summer of 1816, or 1800 and Froze to Death.

Where Did We Go Wrong?: The Iroquois Theater Fire 27.09.2021 33:20

This week's episode covers the Iroquois Theater Fire of 1903.

Eastbound and Down: The Lac-Megantic Rail Disaster 31.08.2021 38:11

This week's episode covers the Lac-Megantic Rail Disaster in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, Canada.

Pour Some Sugar on Me: 2008 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion 12.08.2021 37:15

This episode covers the 2008 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion.

I'll Stop the World and Melt With You: The Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant 03.08.2021 43:18

This episode goes into the history of disasters, mismanagement, and general lack of safety surrounding the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant

Smoke on the Water: Beirut Explosion 26.07.2021 36:30

This episode covers the 2020 Beirut Explosion.

I Hear That Train a Comin: Big Bayou Canot Rail Disaster 21.07.2021 39:16

This week's episode covers the Big Bayou Canot Rail Disaster of 1993.

Fire in the Sky: 2018 Camp Fire 13.07.2021 42:25

This week's episode covers the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California.

There Ain't Much in This Town: Buffalo Creek Disaster 06.07.2021 1:06:30

This week's episode covers the Buffalo Creek Disaster in Buffalo Creek, West Virginia in 1972. Before listening to this episode, there is some in depth talking of survivor guilt and PTSD. I don't want any listeners to have any issues listening to this episode and if you feel you need to talk to someone, please reach out or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.

The Walls Start Shaking: 1960 Valdivia Earthquake 26.06.2021 41:52

This episode covers the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, landslides, tsunamis, flood, and volcanic eruption. Busy episode this week yikes.

Watch Me Explode: Minoan Eruption 20.06.2021 29:34

This episode covers the Minoan Eruption of 1650-1500 BCE.

And the Walls Kept Tumbling Down: Mount Vesuvius Eruption 20.06.2021 34:55

This episode is all about the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD.

Why is the Whiskey Always Gone: The Great Whiskey Fire 03.06.2021 52:37

This episode covers three disasters! The Great Whiskey Fire, The Erfurt Latrine Disaster, and The Lake Peigneur Disaster.

Just Keep on Mining Boy: Upper Big Branch Mining Disaster 18.05.2021 49:59

This episode covers the Upper Big Branch Mining Disaster.

Waffle House Alley: 2011 Super Outbreak 01.05.2021 55:12

This week covers the 2011 Super Outbreak of Tornadoes.