Floodwaters in central Michigan broke records early Wednesday and threatened to rise even higher after catastrophic dam failures forced about 10,000 people to evacuate as the region faces an additional hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said the Tittabawassee River in the city of Midland reached its highest level ever Wednesday morning at 33.97 feet and is expected to rise up to 38 feet by midday.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said at a news conference on Tuesday. ”If you have a family member or loved one who lives in another part of the state, go there now.”
WHITMER ISSUED A STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER 2 DAMS WERE BREACHED IN MIDLAND COUNTY
Whitmer, who declared a state of emergency for Midland County, said that downtown Midland could be under 9 feet of water by midday Wednesday as the water released from the dam failures reaches the city.
“We are anticipating a historic high water level,” the governor said.
The NWS on Tuesday evening urged anyone near the river to seek higher ground following “catastrophic dam failures” at the Edenville Dam, about 140 miles north of Detroit, and the Sanford Dam, about 7 miles downriver.
Midland, a city of 42,000 about 8 miles downstream from the Sanford Dam, faced an especially serious flooding threat. Dow Chemical Co.’s main plant sits on the city’s riverbank.
The NWS said a flash flood emergency continued for the area until at least 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
“This is a life-threatening situation,” a forecast advisory said. “Seek higher ground now!”
Significant flooding was reported in the city by daybreak.