China News Agency, Houston, May 20 (Xinhua): Affected by heavy rainfall, two dams in central Michigan ruptured in succession. The governor urged residents on the 20th to evacuate immediately.
According to CNN, in the past few days, heavy rains have continued in central Michigan, and the water level of the Titabawasi River flowing through the area has risen. On the 19th, the river impacted the Edenville Dam and the Sanford Dam successively from north to south. The two dams are about 7 miles apart. The former has broken the dam, the latter has broken, and the dam has not completely collapsed.
After the dam burst, floods continued to flow into nearby villages and cities. As of the morning of the 20th, the flood flooded many farmlands, roads, parks, supermarkets and so on. There are about 41,000 people in Midland, about 8 miles downstream of the Sanford Dam. The city's standing water is several feet deep, and road signs in many places have been submerged. At present, no casualties reported.
Michigan State Governor Gretchen Whitmer pointed out that in the next 24 hours, Midland city center is expected to be submerged in a 9-foot flood. She urged people to evacuate immediately, to seek help from family, friends or to the shelter provided by the government. She said, "Go to higher ground as soon as possible to avoid risks. We expect the river water level to reach the highest level in history." Recently, she has declared the state of emergency.
Midland County spokesperson Celina Tisdale said the government issued evacuation orders to residents of Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland. Midland County Commissioner Mark Byrne said there are about 10,000 residents in these areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said in a flood warning statement that "the worst may be coming" and the water level is expected to rise to 38 feet on the night of the 20th, when the river will flood many houses.
According to the local news website "Click Detroit", the "Home Order" issued by the Michigan State Government has not been lifted in response to the New Coronavirus pandemic. At present, the government requires that people in shelters be screened for diseases and given masks to everyone.
The media said that the chairman of the Central Michigan Medical Center in Midland, Greg Rogers, said in a press release that the hospital has not been evacuated and that the hospital is equipped with facilities such as flood dikes and generators. ".
In addition, Midland City is the headquarters of Dow Chemical Company, and its main factory is located on the banks of the Titabawasi River. The company said in a statement that it has initiated emergency operations.
According to reports, the two cracked dams were sold before. They were built around 1925. Among them, the company that operated the Edenville Dam was revoked by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2018 due to the inability to reasonably respond to the worst possible flood. (Finish)