Authorities Order Evacuation in Illinois Due to Imminent Dam Collapse

HI INDIA NEWS DESK

CHICAGO, IL- – Thunderstorms with heavy rains and tornadoes swept through the Chicago area and the Midwest on Tuesday, causing widespread damage. In southern Illinois, a dam near Nashville was overtopped, prompting evacuations and cutting power to hundreds of thousands. A woman in Indiana died when a tree fell onto a home.

The overtopping of the dam near Nashville, Illinois, led first responders to ensure the safety of residents in the flooded area. No injuries were reported in the community of 3,000, but crews were dispatched to assist a woman with water up to her waist, according to Alex Haglund of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

The EMA advised residents near the Nashville City Reservoir to evacuate immediately, opening the community center for shelter. “The failure of the Nashville dam is imminent. Please evacuate your home at this time,” the agency warned.

The National Weather Service upgraded Washington and Clinton County from a flash flood warning to a considerable flash flood. Between 5-7 inches of rain fell in eight hours, with more expected. Flooding closed an 11-mile stretch of Interstate 64 and U.S. Highway 50 in Lebanon, Illinois.

In Cedar Lake, Indiana, a 44-year-old woman died. Illinois State Police reported three property damage crashes in the Washington County area.