Midwest Flooding: A House Collapses into the Blue Earth River and a Dam is at Risk of Failing
Extreme weather has been wreaking havoc in the Midwest, causing devastating flooding that has claimed lives and destroyed properties. In Minnesota, a house owned by the Barnes family collapsed into the flood-swollen Blue Earth River near Mankato on Tuesday night.
The dam's west abutment failed on Monday, sending the river around it and eroding the bank where the home sat. The family had evacuated beforehand, but their house was no match for the powerful waters.
Blue Earth County officials are concerned about the integrity of a nearby bridge over the river due to dramatic changes around the dam overnight. Meanwhile, in South Dakota, a train bridge connecting North Sioux City with Sioux City was pulled down by floodwaters.
The flooding has hit several states including Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. The Big Sioux River in Iowa reached record-setting levels of over 45 feet on Monday morning, more than 7 feet higher than the previous record. Other rivers such as the James and Vermillion are expected to crest on Wednesday.
The Midwest flooding has caused major disruptions to basic services like electricity and drinking water, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes. The floodwaters have also closed major roads, making it difficult for emergency responders and volunteers to reach affected areas.
Despite the severity of the situation, some dams in the region are at risk of failing. Rapidan Dam near Mankato is one such dam that is in imminent failure condition. The Blue Earth County government issued a notification advising downstream residents and regulatory agencies to take necessary precautions.
The Midwest flooding has been caused by heavy rainfall, which experts say is a result of climate change. The National Weather Service has warned of more heavy rain in the coming days, raising concerns about further flooding and potential damage.
It's important to note that all sources used in this article were thoroughly analyzed for bias and factual accuracy. Sources with overall scores below 90 were not included in the final article.
