Brady's Bend Flood of 1980

Western Pennsylvania’s Appalachian corridor retains the top three world records for the largest rainfall accumulations in less than six hours, all triggered by multi-cellular thunderstorms that resulted in deadly flash floods. Lisa’s book entitled “The Brady’s Bend Flood of 1980: Tragedy in Western Pennsylvania” highlights a 1980 thunderstorm in Brady’s Bend that in one location released ten inches of rainfall in 45 minutes – something so unlikely that it is estimated to occur once in every 10,000 years. The storm mirrors others within the Appalachians; residents ran for their lives, people drowned, and the community was annihilated by a catastrophic flash flood. As captivating as the story of the storm, is the community’s recovery and how profoundly the experience shaped residents’ lives over the past 44 years.

Retiring after more than 30 years as a successful small business owner, Lisa Olszak Zumstein’s passion for local history and writing found time to bloom. Growing up with eight siblings in the tightly knit rural Appalachian community of Brady’s Bend, Pennsylvania, hard work and resilience are ingrained in everything Lisa does. Drawing on her career as an interviewer, researcher, analyst, and compelling writer, she uncovers the broader significance of a 1980 catastrophic storm and flood in her hometown of Brady’s Bend. With a talent for turning complicated technical information into clear, relatable terms, she captures the emotional and long-term effects of the catastrophic flood on everyday life.