State News

Another emergency: Evacuations ordered as mid-Michigan dams fail due to heavy rain

May 19, 2020, 10:10 PM

Thousands of mid-Michigan residents were ordered to evacuate Tuesday night after two dams breached amid heavy rain, threatening to put downtown Midland under nine feet of water Wednesday.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared an emergency in the area of the Sanford and Edenville dams in a rare late-night address from the State Emergency Operations Center.

"This is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before," she said. "I feel like I’ve said that a lot over the last number of weeks, but this truly is a historic event that is playing out in the midst of another historic event."

Evacuations are ordered for areas including Edenville, Sanford, portions of Midland, Tittabawassee Township, Thomas Township and Saginaw Township. Patients at Midland Hospital were reportedly transfered elsewhere.

Chopper footage over the Edenville breach showed water from Wixom Lake rushing into the town. Both dams are upstream from Midland, a city of about 41,000. Whitmer said floodwaters were expected to reach the area midday Wednesday at the latest.

Residents are being advised stay with friends or family or in shelters set up around the affected area. Whitmer urged they wear masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

A National Weather Service flood warning in Midland County remains in effect through Thursday.



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