Two dams have burst along a mid-Michigan river, in the United States, forcing around 10,000 people to evacuate from their homes, reports The Hill.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Midland County and said that the population of 42,000 people were threatened as the city of Midland could end up under 9 feet of water.
The governor urged residents threatened by the flooding to find shelter or stay with a friend.
The Edenville and Sanford Dams on the Tittabawassee River were breached Tuesday night after several days of heavy rainfall in the region.
Whitmer said: "We are anticipating a historic high-water level.”
Across the region, authorities opened several shelters in high schools and family centers. People taking refuge were asked to wear face masks at all times and to keep social distancing, to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Mark Bone, chair of Midland County’s Board of Commissioners, said to CNN: “To go through this in the midst of a global pandemic is almost unthinkable. But we are here, and to the best of our ability we are going to navigate this together," Whitmer added at her news conference. "So please, to the best of your ability, continue to wear a face covering when you go to a shelter or go stay with a friend or relative."
