A portion of a house situated on the edge of the Blue Earth River in Minnesota collapsed into the raging waters as severe flooding hit the Midwest. The incident occurred near the Rapidan Dam, which was constructed in the early 1900s.
Blue Earth County authorities revealed in a Facebook post that a section of the house closest to the Rapidan Dam had fallen into the river. The dam, located near Mankato, was reported to be in an 'imminent failure condition' by the county government.
Tragically, at least two individuals lost their lives due to the severe storms and catastrophic flooding that inundated homes and led to evacuations in the Upper Midwest. Despite the dam being on the brink of failure, it was still standing as of Wednesday morning.
The affected property, owned by the Barnes family, who also operate the Dam Store nearby, faced inevitable loss due to the dangerous flooding. The Dam Store, renowned for its homemade pies, has been a family-owned business since 1972.
Authorities highlighted that the Rapidan Dam has been in a state of disrepair for years, as indicated in a 2021 study. While there were no immediate plans for mass evacuations, downstream impacts were being closely monitored.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz emphasized that the situation was still precarious, with ongoing monitoring of the dam and downstream effects. The dam, capable of generating 6 million watts of hydroelectric power, is approximately 70 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
As communities across the Midwest grapple with the aftermath of devastating flooding, incidents of loss and tragedy have been reported. President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for parts of Iowa following a levee failure that prompted evacuations.
In South Dakota, water rescue operations were underway in Sioux City, where record-high water levels led to evacuations and significant property damage. Governor Kristi Noem highlighted the dangerous conditions in the McCook Lake neighborhood, urging residents to steer clear of the area.
