Michigan dams break as floodwaters rise, forcing thousands to evacuate
This browser does not support the video element.
By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
EDENVILLE, Mich. — After days of heavy rains, floodwaters overwhelmed two Michigan dams Tuesday, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
Michigan flooding Mark Musselman brings a chair to the front of his house from the back yard, wading through floodwater on May 19, 2020, in Edenville, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding Floodwater surrounds gas pumps at Wixom Lake Gas & Launch on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, along the Tittabawassee River in Beaverton, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding Water rushes through the Edenville Dam on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Edenville, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding People use kayaks to assess the damage at homes in their neighborhood on Oakridge Road on Wixom Lake, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Beaverton, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding Tyler Marciniak of Grand Rapids carries hanging plants through floodwater as he helps his father, Tom Marciniak, assess the damage to his home on Red Oak Drive on Wixom Lake, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Beaverton, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding Floodwater surrounds Wixom Lake Gas & Launch, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, along the Tittabawassee River in Beaverton, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding People help each other travel from one home to another using an inflatable raft on Oakridge Road on Wixom Lake, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Beaverton, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Michigan flooding A view of the flooded area near the Sanford Dam on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer/MLive.com/The Bay City Times via AP)
Michigan flooding A view of the flooded area near the Sanford Dam on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer/MLive.com/The Bay City Times via AP)
Michigan flooding This photo shows a view of a dam on Wixom Lake in Edenville, Mich., Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer/The Bay City Times via AP)
Michigan flooding A view of the flooded area near the Sanford dam on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer/MLive.com/The Bay City Times via AP)
Michigan flooding Water floods the Midland Area Farmers Market and the bridge along the Tittabawassee River in Midland, Mich., on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. (Kaytie Boomer/MLive.com/The Bay City Times via AP)
Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an emergency declaration Tuesday evening for Midland County and warned that the city of Midland’s downtown area “could be under approximately 9 feet of water” by Wednesday morning, The Associated Press reported.
In a Tuesday night alert, the National Weather Service's Detroit office warned of "extremely dangerous flash flooding" of the Tittabawassee River in Midland County after the Edenville and Sanford dams suffered "catastrophic" failures.
"Flash flood emergencies are in effect, and anyone near the river should seek higher ground immediately, be prepared for immediate evacuations, and not drive into flooded roadways," the agency said, adding that a flash flood watch was in effect for Saginaw County, as well.
“If you have not evacuated the area, do so now and get somewhere safe,” Whitmer said. “This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County.”
Midland is home to more than 40,000 residents and the main plant of Dow Chemical Co., which said it is closely monitoring the situation, according to the AP.
"Dow has activated its local emergency operations center and is implementing its flood preparedness plan, which includes the safe shutdown of operating units on site," Dow Michigan Operations said in a Facebook post. "Only essential Dow staff needed to monitor the situation and manage any issues as a result of the flooding remain on site. We will continue to engage with our site tenants and Midland County officials and take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of our employees, community and the environment."
As of early Wednesday, about 10,000 residents had been evacuated, the AP reported.
Michigan flooding Mark Musselman brings a chair to the front of his house from the back yard, wading through floodwater on May 19, 2020, in Edenville, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)