Several citizens gathered in the Roane County courthouse today (December 22) for “A Day to Remember”.

Fifteen years ago today, the Kingston Steam Plant ash spill took place.

It flooded the area north of the plant in the Swan Pond community with coal ash sludge rolling in. It damaged several homes and roads and polluted the Clinch River with sludge.

It was the worst natural plant disaster, as far as the environment, in U.S. history.

Today at the ceremony, several widows from husbands and family members who died cleaning the spill spoke in memory of their loved ones.

The Roane County Commission, in their November meeting, approved spending $2,500 to help construct a sign to memorialize those who lost their lives at the site. The location of the memorial sign should be announced early next year.