Need of Some Assistance

I need a little help from the flist and I hope you can help. For the final chapter of my Smallville fic, I need an event from the past that was disastrous. It could be a war or conflict, a natural disaster or a man made one. Anything along those lines. I have one in mind that I could use but I would like to see if there is something better out there.

Update: Thanks to fictionalknight I have something to add to my search. The event should take place prior to 1980 because it is key to the vignette.