Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

The Department of the Attorney General filed a motion on Thursday after uncovering crucial facts pointing to negligence among former owners regarding the 2020 failure of the Edenville Dam.

One year ago, people in Midland County were trying to leave their homes as a wall of water came rushing in.

Hydroelectric dam owner Boyce Hydro Power, LLC has been fined millions for safety violations after dam failures caused catastrophic floods near Midland.

In this Wednesday, May 20, 2020, photo, people survey the flood damage to the Curtis Road Bridge in Edenville, Mich., over the Tittabawassee River. (Neil Blake/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)EDENVILLE, Mich. – Crews will begin lowering a spillway connected to a dam that failed last year and contributed to massive flooding in parts of mid-Michigan. The Edenville Dam Tobacco River spillway will be lowered by more than 20 feet (6 meters) starting Feb. 24 to help prevent future flooding, according to Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. More than 11,000 people in the Midland area had to be evacuated last May after heavy rains stressed the Edenville Dam, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of Detroit, and the Sanford Dam, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) downriver. The nearly century-old Edenville Dam had been the target of lengthy investigations by federal regulators.

EDENVILLE, Mich. – Crews have started emergency construction work on a portion of a central Michigan dam that collapsed last spring and contributed to flooding that destroyed homes and forced the evacuations of about 10,000 people. Excavation work will be done below the Edenville Dam in Midland County, according to state officials. The dam failed during a steady rain in May, draining Wixom Lake and unleashing the Tittabawassee River, which then overwhelmed the Sanford dam, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of Detroit. Work also is being done inside the Tobacco River spillway in Gladwin and Midland counties to prepare it for being lowered by 21 feet (6.4 meters), officials said. The Edenville Dam is classified as a high hazard dam.

LANSING, Mich. – Labor Day Weekend on Sanford Lake is typically filled with boats and people having fun on the water. After May’s dam failures emptied the lake, many residents are left wondering how long it’ll take to come back. Residents are still hopeful things will return to normal. The state ordered Boyce Hydro -- the owners of the dams -- to make emergency repairs Tuesday, but since the company filed for bankruptcy, the state will likely be forced to foot the bill. Edenville faces Labor Day weekend without their beloved Wixom LakeYou can watch Tim Pamplin’s full stories above in the video players above.

The report provides an update on the ongoing investigation into the Edenville Dam, plans to restore the Tobacco River's flow and the lack of coordination with the dams' owner Boyce Hydro. But while awaiting the conclusion of the investigation, EGLE provided the first of a series of reports requested by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that will provide information about how the dam failures came to be and reviewing dam safety policies in Michigan. The report doesn’t address any parties at fault for the dam failures, but addresses what EGLE will do next to address the safety concerns left by the Edenville dam. Read more: Frustrated Michigan officials issue emergency order to Edenville Dam owners ignoring deadlines

Theyre frustrated that the owners of the Edenville Dam are ignoring deadlines, so they issued them an emergency order. The Edenville Dam failed May 19, leaving 11,000 people evacuated and 2,500 structures damaged by the 500-year flood. With Tuesdays emergency order, Boyce Hydro is forced to alter the Edenville Dam to ensure public safety and have that project done by the end of the year. State officials believe that is the best option to address dam safety concerns right now. They will take a look at Michigans Dam Safety Program and an independent investigation is looking at the factors that led to the dam failure.

Nature is returning to the dry beds of a string of mid-Michigan lakes that drained in May after two dams failed during torrential rains. (AP Photo/ Jeff McMillan)LANSING, Mich. Nature is returning to craters left from lakes drained by two dams that failed in May during torrential rain in mid-Michigan. It hopes to restore the infrastructure and shoreline of Wixom and Sanford lakes and prevent homes from being lost to the eroding edges of what were once the lakes. Under eminent domain, the owners, Boyce Hydro and and Boyce Hydro Power, could be ordered to sell the properties to the task force as the governmental body representing the counties, task force spokesperson Stacey Trapani said. Four Lakes Task Force estimates it will cost more than $30 million to stop the erosion, remove the debris left by the flooding and stabilize all four dams.

MIDLAND, Mich. As many as 60 residents have joined a class-action lawsuit against the owners of the dams that failed and caused catastrophic flooding in mid-Michigan. READ: Investigating who is responsible for Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsTheres a lot of finger pointing as residents join a class-action lawsuit against the dam owners and the state. We moved up here because we wanted to be by the lake (where) we grew up as kids, Tom said. Lantzys law firm is representing more than 60 families in the class-action lawsuit against dam owner Boyce Hydro. The lawsuit looks to hold Boyce Hydro negligent and liable for damages, including medical expenses, property damage and property value.

MIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will host a news briefing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday to provide an update on the aftermath of the Edenville and Sanford dam failures and subsequent flooding in Mid-Michigan last month. You can watch the briefing live in the video player above at 3 p.m.Nessel will be joined by the director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Liesl Clark and the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Dan Eichinger. The briefing comes almost three weeks after nearly 11,000 mid-Michigan residents evacuated their homes due to a massive flooding emergency caused by breaches in the Edenville and Sanford dams. The flood damaged countless homes, businesses and roads in central Michigan. Whitmer requests investigation of dam breach that caused massive flooding in mid-Michigan

MIDLAND, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will offer an update on the state’s response to the devastating floods in Midland County last month. Whitmer will provide a brief update alongside local officials on the state’s response to the historic flooding in Mid-Michigan. Afterward, she will volunteer at the flood relief donation distribution center. The briefing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. -- you can watch it live in the video player above.

DETROIT – Buckfire Law Firm announced Tuesday two class-action lawsuits filed against Edenville and Sanford dam owners and the state of Michigan following the devastating flood emergency in central Michigan last month. Nearly 11,000 mid-Michigan residents evacuated their homes on May 20 after multiple dams were breached, causing a massive flooding emergency in the region. Tuesday’s lawsuits are part of a series of filings against the dam owners and state for allegedly neglecting to ensure the dams operated in accordance with federal guidelines. The dam owners have previously received multiple citations from federal regulators for failure to meet safety guidelines over the last decade. MORE: Residents want answers in Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsBuckfire Law is representing 19 mid-Michigan residents in the federal class-action lawsuit against dam owners Boyce Hydro and its manager Lee Mueller.

MIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – On Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was back in Midland County to announce an investigation into why the Edenville and Sanford dams gave way. A week later, piles of debris lined neighborhoods. READ: Shocking mid-Michigan flood pictures show ravaged roads, underwater houses, floating carsNeither of them know if their homes are stable enough to move back into. MORE: More than 800 volunteers visit Midland to help flood victims despite pandemicWatch the video above to hear from Coulson and Mills.

Debris line neighborhoods in mid-Michigan as community deals with damage from devastating floodsPublished: May 27, 2020, 5:17 pmOn Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was back in Midland County to announce an investigation into why the Edenville and Sanford dams gave way.

Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference on Wednesday to provide an update on the state’s response to the historic flooding event in Midland County. “This flooding forced thousands to evacuate their homes, destroyed public infrastructure, ruined homes and businesses, and caused major natural resource damage,” said Governor Whitmer. The Kriegers and Sperlings own adjacent properties and homes on the banks of the Tittabawassee River less than a mile south of the Edenville Dam. Whitmer extended the state of emergency for Midland County to include three additional counties last weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for Midland County last Thursday.

Gretchen Whitmer has added three counties to her state of emergency issued as a result of two dam failures that caused devastating floods in the middle of the state. Arenac, Gladwin and Saginaw counties have been added to the state of emergency that was issued for Midland County. “I have declared an emergency to provide much needed assistance and have added Arenac, Gladwin and Saginaw counties to the declaration to ensure access to critical resources. (WDIV)Officials evacuated 750 Saginaw County residents, 500 Arenac County residents and more than 100 Gladwin County residents due to rising waters. By adding them to the state of emergency, Whitmer allows these three counties to receive law enforcement and shelter support, road repair help, search and rescue services and more.

MIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Historic flooding caused by dam failures forced thousands from their homes in mid-Michigan. The Edenville dam and Sanford dams failed. At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Edenville Dam that created Wixom Lake gave away. MORE: Residents in Midland County return after evacuationsThe American Red Cross is still helping residents impacted by the floods. READ: Residents want answers in Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsView the list of shelters below:

LANSING, Mich. On Wednesday, May 20, Michigan National Guard units from Bay City, Saginaw, Port Huron, and other nearby communities responded to a request from Michigan State Police (MSP) to aid evacuating residents following massive flooding in the Midland area resulting from the breach of the Edenville and Sanford Dams. Working in cooperation with state and local incident commanders and county Emergency Operations Center personnel, Michigan National Guard members were dispatched to help evacuate 21 individuals, as well as six dogs and two cats threatened by the flooding. Guard members utilized equipment such as Light Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTVs) that are capable of driving through high water for this mission. In addition to assisting community members, Michigan National Guard members recovered and removed books from a flooded library in Midland. This rapid response was accomplished while the Michigan National Guard remains heavily integrated into the State of Michigans fight against COVID-19.

In this Wednesday, May 20, 2020, photo, people survey the flood damage to the Curtis Road Bridge in Edenville, Mich., over the Tittabawassee River. The lawsuit came as yet more residents were forced to evacuate their homes after being overwhelmed by flooding along the Tittabawassee River and conjoining waterways. FeganScott, a law firm that specializes in class action suits, is representing businesses and homeowners affected by the flooding. Officials have said the Sanford Dam, built in 1925, was overflowing during the flooding but that the extent of structural damage wasnt known. Wixom Lake in Midland Countys Hope Township lost most of its water when the Edenville Dam failed.

President Donald Trump, who was in Michigan to visit a Ford production plant, signed an emergency declaration authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts. In Midland, 61 people spent Wednesday night and Thursday morning in temporary shelters, according to city spokeswoman Selina Tisdale. That number — mostly the elderly and families — dwindled throughout Thursday as floodwaters receded and some residents were able to return home, she said. Much of the area remained underwater, including in Midland, the headquarters of Dow Chemical Co. And floodwaters continued to threaten downstream communities. “And my hat’s off to Midland.”Other area residents returned to their homes to find heavy damage.

MIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. A State of Emergency was declared for Midland County after two dams failed. The Edenville Dam broke and the Sanford Dam was breached late Tuesday night. It was almost a surreal piece of good news for the Midland County Emergency Management team to announce the Tittibiwassee River had crested at 35 feet on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.Its still 11 feet above flood stage and the area is still days away from the waters receding. On the Tobacco River, near the Edenville Dam people tried to salvage what they could. Unlike the Edenville Dam, where the water physically broke through -- sending parts of the dam downriver.

EDENVILLE, Mich. The Local 4 Defenders have uncovered new information about who is responsible for the failure of the Edenville Dam, which led to catastrophic floods in mid-Michigan. READ: Catastrophic flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowThe situation has turned into a bitterly contested finger pointing match on who is to blame for the Edenville Dam failure. Dam failure isnt unheard of in Michigan. Lack of investment in dam infrastructure is not uncommon in Michigan dams, which have suffered from deferred maintenance over the course of decades. That, combined with the historic rainfall and flooding, were factors in the Edenville Dam failure."

EDENVILLE, Mich. – The Local 4 Defenders have uncovered new information about who is responsible for the failure of the Edenville Dam, which led to catastrophic floods in mid-Michigan. The owners of the Edenville Dam have been cited by federal regulators since 2004 for safety issues. The company that owns the aging, crumbling 96-year-old dam, Boyce Hydro, was cited for years for its failure to increase the project spillway capacity. Lack of investment in dam infrastructure is not uncommon in Michigan dams, which have suffered from deferred maintenance over the course of decades. That, combined with the historic rainfall and flooding, were factors in the Edenville Dam failure."

SANFORD, Mich. – The catastrophic flooding caused by two dam failures in mid-Michigan has affected multiple communities, but nobody has been hit harder than the small town of Sanford. After the Edenville Dam collapsed, all eyes turned to the Sanford Dam, which had water and debris pressing up against it. She said the community of 800 people is going to need help. “There’s a lot of debris floating in the lake.”She said the first job is to remove the debris forced up against the Sanford Dam. Red Cross officials are also at the scene to help residents.

MIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – In an event like this, you really get the true scope of what’s happened from the air -- the damage runs on for miles. RELATED: Aerial video shows complete devastation caused by dam failures in mid-MichiganThe images are chilling -- buildings are submerged and towns have become lakes because the dams couldn’t withstand the rising water. RELATED: ‘Catastrophic’ flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowIn Edenville, roads are washed away with big chunks missing. In Midland -- the area’s largest city -- water rose around the three-way pedestrian bridge landmark in the city’s downtown. MORE: Tim Pamplin tours mid-Michigan flood damage: ‘Roof of a house.

Touring the destruction caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan from the abovePublished: May 20, 2020, 5:25 pmIn an event like this, you really get the true scope of what’s happened from the air -- the damage runs on for miles.

Flooding: Lake Wixom emptied in EdenvillePublished: May 20, 2020, 4:16 pmCatastrophic flooding caused by dam failure in mid-Michigan has left shocking damage to roads, houses and entire cities in the area.

EDENVILLE, Mich. – Catastrophic flooding caused by two dam failures in Midland County have completely destroyed many of the roads in the area. The Edenville Dam, which federal officials had concerns about and stripped of its license, gave way after about nine inches of rain. A gas station owner at the corner said the water came through at 5 p.m. Tuesday, taking out the bridge and a nearby home. The power of the water when it came through was enough to blow holes in the road and warp the guardrail. Sections of the entire bridge are gone, with flowing water visible below.

Published: May 20, 2020, 11:10 amMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Catastrophic flooding caused by dam failure in mid-Michigan has left shocking damage to roads, houses and entire cities in the area. A clear look at a road torn apart by water in Midland County on May 20, 2020. (WDIV)A car floating in the middle of flood water in Midland County on May 20, 2020. (WDIV)The high flood levels in Midland County on May 20, 2020. (WDIV)A building underwater in Midland County on May 20, 2020.

Published: May 20, 2020, 10:35 am Updated: May 20, 2020, 12:22 pmMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Local 4′s Tim Pamplin is in mid-Michigan to see the damage caused by two dam failures that led to catastrophic flooding across the area. AERIAL VIDEO: Complete devastation caused by dam failures in mid-Michigan“Beyond these bushes you see the roof of a house,” Tim said. He went to Downtown Sanford, finding the post office and restaurants almost completely underwater. Live reports all day on @Local4News pic.twitter.com/0deTDn0MwU — @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020UPDATE: downtown Sanford is under water after several dams and levees fail. @Local4News pic.twitter.com/486IlfmJyk — @Nightcam (@nightcam) May 20, 2020

Published: May 20, 2020, 9:55 am Updated: May 20, 2020, 10:38 amMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Local 4 has new video of the devastating damage and flooding caused by multiple dam failures in mid-Michigan. Aerial video from Sky 4 shows the state of Midland County around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The Edenville Dam has broken and the Sanford Dam has been breached, officials said. No idea where rest of the house is’“This is unlike anything we’ve seen in Midland County,” she said. Families living along the Tittabawassee River and connected lakes in Midland County were ordered Tuesday evening to leave home.

WATCH: Edenville Dam breach viewer videoPublished: May 19, 2020, 11:15 pmA breached dam caused by several days of rainfall and rising water has forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people in mid-Michigan.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday evening urged anyone near the river to seek higher ground following “castastrophic dam failures” at the Edenville Dam, about 140 miles (225.31 kilometers) north of Detroit, and the Sanford Dam, about seven miles (11.26 kilometers) downriver. Emergency responders went door-to-door early Tuesday morning warning residents living near the Edenville Dam of the rising water. The evacuations include the towns of Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland, according to Selina Tisdale, spokeswoman for Midland County. The Edenville Dam, which was built in 1924, was rated in unsatisfactory condition in 2018 by the state. The Sanford Dam, which was built in 1925, received a fair condition rating.

Gretchen Whitmer provided a complete update on the mid-Michigan floods, touching on the devastating damage to the community, possible legal action against the dam owners and when experts expect the peak water levels to arrive. 500-year eventWhitmer spoke around 1 p.m. Wednesday after she had just completed an aerial tour of the catastrophic damage caused by two dams failing in Midland County. A building almost completely underwater in Midland County on May 20, 2020. Updated information can be found at Midland911.org or The Midland County Emergency Management Facebook page. School buses almost completely underwater in Midland County on May 20, 2020.

LANSING, Mich. The Michigan National Guard is assisting the states response to unprecedented floods in mid-Michigan caused by the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says downtown Midland could soon be covered by nine feet of water. Officials say more than 200 soldiers and additional equipment are expected to arrive throughout the day with more guard members on standby for aviation, rescue hoist and logistical support if necessary. Guard members are still following protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) during this emergency response, officials said. Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County late Tuesday night in response to the flood crisis.

Published: May 20, 2020, 12:09 pm Updated: May 20, 2020, 4:31 pmMIDLAND COUNTY, Mich. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Wednesday on the flooding caused by dam breaches in Midland County. You can watch her full comments in the video above. The Edenville Dam broke and the Sanford Dam was breached, causing devastating floods throughout the county. The governor spoke about the states response to the emergency around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Trish Wilson, a Redford resident, has a cottage on Wixom Lake. Wixom Lake had been drained almost entirely after the dam failures. "This is where we have been coming since I was born.At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Edenville Dam that created Wixom Lake gave away. Wilson said she was near the dam when it happened and could hear the water rush through the trees. Wixom Lake flooded through the area.

HOPE, Mich. Catastrophic flooding caused by two dam failures in mid-Michigan have reshaped many communities. Wixom Lake is gone. At about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Edenville Dam that created Wixom Lake gave away. Bill Sian and his family lives right at the bridge and they were home when the water came through. It looked like Niagra Falls coming over the bridge," Sian said.

This photo shows a view of a dam on Wixom Lake in Edenville, Mich., Tuesday, May 19, 2020. The Edenville dam, in Michigans Gladwin and Midland counties, includes a series of earthen embankments totaling about 6,600 feet (2,012 meters) long, with a maximum height of nearly 55 feet (16.8 meters). The Edenville dam's spillway capacity was only about 50 percent of the probable maximum flood, the commission said. Among its other violations: performing unauthorized dam repairs and earth-moving and failing to file an adequate public safety plan, maintain recreation facilities or monitor water quality. The record demonstrates that there is no reason to believe that Boyce Hydro will come into compliance," the commission added.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. Two individuals were reported as trapped in the Clinton River in Rochester Hills on Tuesday afternoon. The Rochester Hills Fire Department arrived to the area of Avon and South Livernois to rescue the individuals around 5 p.m. Upon arrival firefighters found the individuals out of the water, but their kayaks were wedged in tree debris in the river, officials said. The Rochester Hills Fire Department is urging extreme caution to residents visiting the river due to high water and fast moving currents caused by recent heavy rains. Officials say downtown Midland could be under 9 feet of water due to the condition of the Edenville dam.