Edenville Dam Breaks in Michigan, Sparking Evacuations

Residents in Midland, Michigan, are dealing with an incredibly serious situation on Tuesday. According to Urgent News Alerts on Twitter, the Edenville Dam in Michigan, which is in the central part of the state, has collapsed. Following the dam’s collapse, evacuation orders have been issued to those in Midland and for areas nearby.

According to the Weather Channel, emergency officials had warned residents around the Wixom and Sanford lakes area earlier in the day that the dam was at risk of collapsing. They subsequently told residents in the area to evacuate around 6:15 p.m. ET after it was determined that the dam could no longer hold back the water. The Associated Press was able to speak to individuals in the area, many of whom were warned about this possible situation a day prior. Catherine Sias, who lives about a mile from the Edenville Dam, told the publication, “The water is very high. Last night, emergency responders came door-to-door to make sure everybody got out. We have mild flooding every year, but this is unusual.”

The Weather Channel reported that Edenville Dam wasn’t the only structure at risk of collapse in the area. The publication noted that the Sanford Dam was also at risk of failing, which caused officials to tell residents in Midland (which is downstream from Sanford Lake) who live near the Tittabawassee River to evacuate. Additionally, residents who are in the path of rushing water in the townships of Homer and Lincoln have also been asked to leave their homes amidst this situation.

Due to the seriousness of this situation, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will reportedly issue an emergency declaration to make sure that more resources are available to those in the central Michigan area. Gov. Whitmer shared in a statement, “The State Emergency Operations Center is already activated and fully engaged in the response. State officials from multiple departments have been on-site throughout the day.”

At 8:30 p.m. ET, the governor addressed this crisis with an additional statement via Twitter. She once again stressed that she would be making an emergency declaration in the state. Her statement detailed that the State Emergency Operations Center is “activated & fully engaged in the response.” Whitmer added that additional details will be made available in due course.