Mid-State Michigan Faces More Threats

(NewsReady.com) – As if the economic devastation wrought by COVID-19 wasn’t enough. Mid-state Michigan is now threatened by a massive flood after heavy rains earlier this week. Massive flood warnings were issued across the middle of the state.

#FirstWarn5 WEATHER ALERT: The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD WARNING for parts of Mid-Michigan. Monitor water levels in your area closely, and get the latest information at https://t.co/PR2w56U4Kv pic.twitter.com/lzAzt50xlW

— Meteorologist Bryan Bachman (@Bryan_Bachman) May 20, 2020

However, the rain itself wasn’t the source of the devastation; the Edenville Dam collapsed under the pressure.

DISASTER PREDICTED: The breached Gladwin County dam that sent floodwaters rushing into Midland had its hydroelectric generation license revoked two years ago after federal regulators said the operator had endangered public safety… https://t.co/UR3xT0kkSu

— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) May 20, 2020

The structure had its power-generation license revoked in 2018 after public safety concerns for its meager spillway capacity of about 50%. The Edenville Dam was licensed for operation in 1998, but safety design inadequacies were documented by regulators shortly after construction began. Boyce Hydro Power, operator or this dam, acquired the license in 2004.

Since 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has attempted to ensure that Boyce Hydro Power, owned by Lee Mueller, to correct “noncompliance issues.” Clearly, those weren’t corrected. The result is Sanford citizens’ ability to kayak in the downtown area.

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

— @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020

As of mid-day May 20, there have been no reports of casualties, though mass evacuations are already underway. Hopefully, those at fault are made to pay for the damage they caused.

~Daily News for Busy People!