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Wisconsin Dam Breach Prompts Evacuations, Residents Allowed to Return Home
In a dramatic turn of events, intense flooding breached a dam in eastern Wisconsin on Friday, eroding the land around it and prompting officials to temporarily evacuate residents living downstream. The situation unfolded in the city of Manawa, where heavy rains and flash flooding had already caused significant disruptions.
On Friday evening, Manawa Police Chief Jason Severson announced via Facebook that the situation at the Manawa Dam, along the Little Wolf River, had "stabilized," allowing residents to return home by 5 p.m. However, the aftermath of the flooding and dam breach will likely persist for days to come.
The city of Manawa, home to approximately 1,200 residents, received about 4 inches of heavy rain and flash flooding on Friday morning, leading to impassable roads and stranded residents. First responders, assessing the situation, observed erosion around the dam, prompting immediate evacuations downstream.
Gus Kaiser, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Green Bay, confirmed that while the rain had ceased and floodwaters were receding as of Friday evening, ongoing flooding directly downstream of the dam continued to impact the town of Royalton.
Despite the stabilization, Kaiser described the situation as "fairly stable," noting potential for continued flooding in the coming days due to forecasted rain. The city is now focused on lowering floodwaters sufficiently to begin repair work in affected areas.
During a news conference on Friday, Chief Severson clarified that the Manawa Dam itself remains intact and did not fail. However, significant erosion was observed on the north side and surrounding land, with an estimated 50-foot-wide area eroded. Dam gates were opened to alleviate pressure from floodwaters.
In addition to evacuations, the flooding prompted a boil water advisory in Manawa and surrounding areas due to severe flooding. Josh Smith, director of public works, advised residents to adhere to the advisory until safe water samples are obtained from the city's wells.
While no injuries have been reported, the impact of the dam breach and subsequent flooding has been far-reaching, serving as a stark reminder of nature's power and the importance of preparedness in extreme weather events.
As Manawa and neighboring communities embark on recovery efforts, the resilience of residents will undoubtedly be tested. With the situation stabilizing and residents returning home, the focus now shifts to assessing damages and ensuring safety for all affected by this unprecedented event.