| Mud and silt from Slab Fork linger on the street in residential Mullens, West Virginia after the major flash flood disaster of July 8, 2001. The mountainous terrain visible in the background is partly responsible for the catastrophe, helping runoff from heavy rains quickly reach the valleys faster than the creeks can handle it. The water rose to above the first floor of the homes on this street, submerging and destroying everything in their basements. In addition to their water damage threat, floodwaters are contaminated with mud and bacteria that can pose a health hazard with any item it contacts. Most items affected by floodwater cannot be cleaned and must be disposed of. Image from 4.7MP digital camera.
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