Breaches caused by several days of heavy rain.
Severe flooding struck central Michigan Wednesday after two dams were breached by rain-swollen waters, forcing the evacuation of around a thousand residents. A state of emergency has been called by the governor.
Record rain over the region put pressure on the Edenville and Sanford Dams northwest of Detroit, causing failure and sending “catastrophic” floods downstream into Midland County. Downtown Midland could be under 9 feet of water by midday Wednesday, the governor said.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said.
The headquarters of Dow Chemical Company is directly downstream of all the flooding, including a Superfund site with cancer-causing chemicals. Dow has shut down operations on site.
The National Guard, 125 infantry and the Red Cross are among those responding to the flooded area.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For residents of central Michigan who have evacuated or are facing danger from rising floodwaters.
- For Governor Whitmer and others in the Michigan emergency services groups, along with first responders in the flooded areas.
Sources: NBC News, Detroit Free Press
