About 10,000 residents have been evacuated in the US state of Michigan after two dams collapsed following days of heavy rain, officials say.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for areas near the Tittabawassee River after the Edenville and Sanford dams burst.
Parts of Midland, some 140 miles (209 km) of Detroit, could be under 9ft (2.7m) of water, authorities said.
Dow chemical company, which is based in the city, has set up emergency steps.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County in mid-Michigan after the dams collapsed on Tuesday, and said the city of Midland – of population of more than 40,000 – could see a “historic high water level”.
“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County,” Ms Whitmer said at a news conference. “To go through this in the midst of a global pandemic is almost unthinkable.”
It was the second time in 24 hours that residents were told to evacuate because of rising waters. They have been advised to wear a face covering and observe social distancing while evacuating to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
BBC
