Broken dams, flooded houses, thousands of evacuated: a massive flood occurred in Michigan

About 10 people received orders to evacuate from areas of Michigan after two dams failed due to heavy rainfall throughout the state, writes USA Today.

Photo: screenshot twitter.com/Local4News

On May 19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County after breaking dams at Edenville and Sanford and warned that by mid-day there could be about 9 feet (2,7 m) of water in midland.

Dam collapse led to impassable roads, residents were advised to boil running water, and the elements raised regulatory issues regarding the Edenville Dam hydroelectric power station license. It is not yet clear whether there were any deaths due to the flood.

The flooding caused the failure or uncontrolled release of water at several dams upstream from Midland along Tittabawassee after 17 to 18 inches (4 to 7 cm) of rain fell across the region on May 10 and 18.

The Tittabawassee River in Midland entered major flood stage on the morning of May 19, with water levels reaching 28,25 feet (8,6 m) at 10:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 24 feet (7,3 m).

Two dams in central Michigan failed Tuesday after several days of heavy rain. The National Weather Service in Detroit said the Edenville and Sanford dams suffered “catastrophic failures,” which led to “extremely dangerous flash flooding.” pic.twitter.com/4sI3yYDqUB

- CBS Newspath (@cbsnewspath) May 20, 2020

By the afternoon of May 19, at least two rivers in mid-Michigan—the Tittabawassee River in Midland and the Rifle River near Sterling—reached flood stage.

The Edenville Dam on the Tittabavassi River was destroyed on the evening of May 19. A sudden flood warning issued by the National Meteorological Service reported that flooding of small streams and other areas in lowlands should be expected.

The dam, whose hydropower license was revoked in 2018 due to the inability to withstand heavy flooding, is an 6600-foot (2 km) earth embankment up to 54,5-foot (16,6 m) high, covering the Tittabavassi and Tobacco rivers in the counties Midland and Gladwin.

Water passing through the dam break at Edenville headed downstream to Lake Sanford in Midland County, where it broke through Sanford Dam later on May 19.

Catastrophic flooding today destroying homes & businesses in Sanford, Michigan #Michigan #michiganflood #SanfordDam #dambreach pic.twitter.com/Vqj73xFCRp

- Brendan Gutenschwager (@bgutenschwager) May 20, 2020

As of the morning of May 20, the Tittabavassi River reached a historic high of 34,6 feet (10,5 m), rising above its previous record in 1986. The main flood stage here is 28 feet (8,5 m). The National Meteorological Service predicts that the water level in the river will reach 38 feet (11,5 m) by the end of the day.

Wildest flooding i have ever seen in my life #Michigan #MidlandDam #michiganflood pic.twitter.com/QwjCTkd5po

- Brendan Gutenschwager (@bgutenschwager) May 20, 2020

Whitmer said that parts of Midland, Sanford, Edenville and Dow Chemical were evacuated, or this is happening now.

According to Whitmer, despite the recommendation to avoid traveling because of the coronavirus, it is very important that everyone living in the affected areas evacuate to safer areas as soon as possible or go to the homes of relatives and friends. Three shelters opened in Midland County.

“This is unlike anything we've seen before ... truly a historic event that's unfolding in the midst of another historic event,” Whitmer said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic. Statewide, more than 19 people have died from COVID-5000.

EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY:
The Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam have now both failed.
Residents of Edenville & Sanford evacuate immediately & seek higher ground as far east Tittabawassee River as possible.
Stay Safe?#EdenvilleDam #Midland #Michigan #SanfordDam pic.twitter.com/xGwVYfX8lE

- ~ Marietta (@_MariettaDavis) May 20, 2020

“Please don't be shy to ask for help. Go to a friend or relative or go to one of the shelters as soon as possible,” she said, adding that even in a shelter, people should try their best to practice social distancing and wear masks or otherwise cover their faces to protect themselves and others from coronavirus.

MICHIGAN DAM FAILURES:

• Extreme to catastrophic record flooding
• 500-year flood near #Edenville, #Sanford and #Midland
• Emergency declaration from @GovWhitmer
• Dam failures / breaches
• Upwards of 10,000 evacuated #MIwx #michiganflood #MidlandDam pic.twitter.com/XHCNkoDvM3

- Tyler Sebree (@ TylerWSFA12) May 20, 2020

What else is going on in Michigan?

On May 20, a conservative group from Michigan plans to protest Whitmer's stay-at-home order and the closure of hair salons and salons. The group will carry out the so-called “Operation Haircut” - they decided to express their protest by giving everyone a free haircut right at the State Capitol.

On May 21, President Donald Trump also plans to visit the Ford Motor plant in Ipsilanti, where ventilators are manufactured during the coronavirus pandemic. At Whitmer’s office, they said the visit was against the rules for controlling the spread of coronavirus, which she had put in place, but the governor would not try to stop the president.

Breaking: Video shows the moment Edenville dam collapsed in Midland County, Michigan. Residents in Sanford and Edenville are told to evacuate immediately. pic.twitter.com/4mgTpoMdYJ

- PM Breaking News (MPMBreakingNews) May 20, 2020

The flood resembled the disaster of 1986, the worst in modern state history. This time the Tittabavasse River will exceed the record 34 years ago in terms of water level. Then the rain began on September 9th and it was several days. Flooding destroyed crops and homes. According to the National Meteorological Service, it was “the worst flood in the last 50 years,” causing damage in the amount of $ 400 to $ 500 million, which today stands at $ 950 to $ 1,2 billion.

UPDATE: A view from the water. Downtown Sanford from aboard a kayak. @ Local4News #michiganflood pic.twitter.com/FyLm0ZUj0E

- @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020

Part of the problem now is that, in addition to the long rains in the area, the river overflows due to massive downpours from the north of Midland, overflowing rivers and streams.

NEW VIDEO: Aerial footage shows level of flood damage in Mid-Michigan after dams breached: https://t.co/ZM0HKpYzcs pic.twitter.com/P0QNbfucwO

- Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@ Local4News) May 20, 2020

However, forecasters at the National Meteorological Service said the state expects a break in the rains until Saturday, May 23, which may give the water time to retreat. But, according to meteorologists, even more rainfall may fall next week.

Read also on ForumDaily:

India and Bangladesh are facing the most powerful storm in history: millions are evacuating

Not only coronavirus: in 2020 cruel natural disasters await the world

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