2007 News Archive

Two-Year Anniversary of Local Un-Natural Disaster

AUGUSTA, Ga. - On the morning of Jan. 6, 2005, Graniteville, S.C., resident Nina Nidiffer knew nothing about the disaster that was happening within walking distance of her house, nor of the deadly gas that was beginning to spread around her small town.

After friends called up and asked if she was safe, Nidiffer discovered that a train carrying liquid chlorine had crashed; immediately, she headed out of her house and took photos of the wreckage. One of these pictures would eventually show up in newspapers around the world and on the cover of her book, Un-Natural Disaster . Published by Harbor House in the summer of 2005, Disaster chronicled the events of the crash and the effects on Nidiffer and the firefighters, law enforcement officials and fellow Graniteville citizens who were affected by the disaster.

Many citizens of the town suffered internal injuries inhalation of the chlorine, and much of the wildlife and vegetation of the area died as a result of the poisoning. As Graniteville awaits the disaster's two-year anniversary, Nidiffer's book still stands as a testament to the men and women who endured the crash and attempted to bring life back to the wounded town.

For more information, contact publicity at (706) 738-0354 or publicity@harborhousebooks.com