MIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Thousands of Midland County residents marked a somber milestone Monday as they reflected on the catastrophic Edenville Dam failure that devastated their communities five years ago, with many still fighting for accountability from the state.
The Edenville Dam collapsed on May 19, 2020, triggered by days of heavy rainfall.
It unleashed a destructive wall of water that overwhelmed the Sanford Dam downstream.
The disaster forced more than 10,000 residents to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes.
“There were cars, parts of houses in the water. The water level was above those power lines. That’s how high it was,” said Sanford resident Mike Callan. “Within 15 minutes, everything was gone, and then it looked like somebody pulled the drain in the bathtub.”
Legal Battle Continues
While reports found the dam failure was “preventable” and the former dam owner was found liable for millions in damages, affected residents continue their legal fight against the state of Michigan.
Attorney Ven Johnson, representing hundreds of victims, emphasized that none of his clients have received compensation yet five years later.
“Not a single dime has been collected by these folks behind me, the true victims and survivors,” Johnson said at a press conference marking the anniversary.
The lawsuit alleges that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy knew the dam was not structurally sound or safe but continued to fill it anyway.
A judge recently allowed the lawsuit against the state, denying another attempt to dismiss the case. A trial is scheduled for January.
Financial Burden Weighs Heavy
For many residents like Mike and Lisa Callan, the disaster’s financial impact continues to mount.
After rebuilding their home on higher ground, they now struggle with a double mortgage while their original property remains unsold.
Adding to their burden, they must also contribute to the cost of rebuilding the dams.
“The State of Michigan doesn’t want to take any responsibility whatsoever,” Callan said. “Kick the can and brush it underneath the rug. It’s crazy how they can do stuff like that.”
Kurt Yockey, another affected resident in Midland, lost irreplaceable personal belongings in the flood.
“Every picture I had of family members, videotapes, everything was ruined, and it all went out onto the curb,” said Yockey.
Recovery Timeline
The Four Lakes Task Force, responsible for rebuilding the dams, projects that Sanford Lake will be restored by early 2026, followed by Wixom Lake in 2028.
The organization aims to complete repairs on all four affected dams by 2027.
Despite the ongoing challenges, some residents remain committed to their community.
As the Callans put it, “We are still here. We are not going anywhere.”
