When disaster strikes: 5 of America's most destructive infrastructure failures caught on camera
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge left the Baltimore community forever changed. What has America learned from past disasters?
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge left the Baltimore community forever changed. What has America learned from past disasters?
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge left the Baltimore community forever changed. What has America learned from past disasters?
Roughly one year ago, on March 26, 2024, the Baltimore community was forever changed after a container ship , causing it to collapse into the Patapsco river.
Two people were rescued, but six members of a construction crew working on the bridge were killed in the collapse.
Millions of dollars were lost while the waterway was closed and more than a billion dollars will be spent to rebuild.
What has America learned from past disasters?
Tacoma Bridge collapse
In November of 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington collapsed when high winds caused the bridge to sway, twist and tear itself apart.
Luckily, there were no injuries.
In 1950, a new and improved Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened. The current version of the bridge is the fifth longest suspension bridge in America.
Suspension bridge design has since changed, with a focus on being more aerodynamic or stiffer against twisting. Extensive wind tunnel testing has also become a regular practice.
Silver Bridge collapse
On Dec. 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge in West Virginia suffered a catastrophic fracture in its steel suspension chain links, causing the bridge to collapse in 20 seconds.
46 people were killed in the tragedy.
The following year, Congress passed the 1968 Federal Aid Highway Act, which enacted a law that requires the Department of Transportation to inspect federally-funded bridges every two years.
I-35W Mississippi River Bridge collapse
On Aug. 1, 2007, one of the busiest arteries of Minneapolis, the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge, collapsed during rush hour.
Over 50 vehicles, including a school bus, plunged into the river and rail yard below.
Thirteen people were killed and nearly 150 people were injured.
Prior to the collapse, the bridge was classified as 鈥渟tructurally deficient鈥� and 鈥渇racture critical.鈥�
The National Transportation Safety Board determined a design flaw caused the collapse. Investigators found the bridge鈥檚 gusset plates were not thick enough to hold the bridge鈥檚 steel beams together.
The aftermath led to an effort by the government to improve bridge conditions, including an increase in government funding.
Hyatt Regency walkway collapse
In July 1981, inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City during a crowded tea dance.
114 people were killed and more than 200 were injured. The collapse is considered one of the deadliest structural failures in American history.
Investigators found the skywalks were under-designed and did not meet city code. As a result, the architect and head engineer lost their licenses. No criminal charges were filed. The owner of the hotel paid victims' families around $140 million in damages.
Since then, building codes, engineering and architectural standards have significantly changed, emphasizing a more rigorous review process for design changes.
The tragedy has also taught first responders how to respond to mass casualty events.
This case continues to be studied in civil engineering programs as a cautionary tale.
Hurricane Katrina levee collapse
On Aug, 19, 2005, made landfall causing extensive damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in New Orleans.
Around 50 levees across the New Orleans area failed as massive storm surges hit the area.
Water flooded around 80% of the city and over 95% of neighboring St. Bernard Parish.
The storm was responsible for roughly 1,000 deaths in Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center. Millions were left homeless.
In the wake of the destruction, Congress passed the National Levee Safety Act in 2007 to improve levee management and reduce flooding. The federal government also provided around $120 billion in aid, including $15 billion to strengthen New Orleans' flood protection system.