A county in Michigan has been placed under emergency order by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after two dams were breached, which could lead to unprecedented flooding.
During a late-night press conference on Tuesday, Whitmer said that both the Sanford and Edenville dams broke in Midland County and urged families to seek shelter at the local high school.
“If you have a family member or loved one who lives in another part of the state, go there now,” she said. “If you don’t, go to one of the shelters that have opened across the county.”
BREAKING: Here’s downtown Sanford, Mi after levees and dams are breached. Thousands evacuated. Live reports all day on @Local4News pic.twitter.com/0deTDn0MwU
— @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020
The National Weather Service described the situation as “catastrophic,” and the state National Guard is on the scene patrolling the area as more than 10,000 people from Midland and surrounding towns are evacuated. Dow Chemical Company has a plant that sits on the riverbank of the city of Midland, which presents another serious flooding threat.
“In the next 12 to 15 hours, downtown Midland could be under approximately nine feet of water,” Whitmer added. “We are anticipating a historic high water level.”
Video shared to Twitter Wednesday morning showed roads covered in water and people searching out safer ground.
