Experts say the 2020 failure of two dams on a Michigan river was “foreseeable and preventable.”.

What caused Boyce Hydro’s Edenville Dam to fail on May 19 of 2020?

The federal government has approved millions of dollars in disaster relief for part of central Michigan impacted by flooding last year caused by severe weather and dam failures.

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

It was one year ago that the Edenville and Sanford dams gave way, leading to devastating floods in Mid-Michigan.

So many who lost so much in the mid-Michigan floods are still searching for help and answers -- and it may be a long time before they get either.

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

The Michigan Dam Safety Task Force has been working on recommendations that would require Legislature approval to reduce the threat of dam failures after two dams failed in Midland County last May, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people. The task force is asking for an annual $20 million revolving fund for the next 20 years to maintain and remove dams. To address hazard cleanup for when a dam owner fails to act, the task force is asking for a dam safety emergency fund. AdTask force chairman Evan Pratt said he values the sense of urgency the language provides, referring to dam safety issues in Michigan as a “ticking time bomb.” He said recommendations won't stop dams from failing, but the task force must reduce the frequency and severity of failures. “You know, how many 300-year rains has Midland seen in the last five or six years?"

LANSING, Mich. – The Association of State Dam Safety Officials' (ASDSO) review of Michigan’s Dam Safety Unit was presented at a meeting of the Michigan Dam Safety Task Force. READ: Michigan department publishes dam failure reportIt concluded that Michigan’s program is understaffed and constrained by limited time, resources and budget. Officials said Michigan’s investments in dam safety have been lacking for decades, which increases the risk to public safety and the environment. Currently, Michigan’s program has two dam safety engineers and one supervisor with a third dam safety engineer to be hired soon. In the Fiscal Year 2021 there is funding for hiring two more dam safety engineers.

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.

WEST BRANCH, Mich. Several horses displaced by the pandemic and flooding across parts of central Michigan have found a new home at a rescue farm. WATCH: Aerial footage of Midland flood devastation on May 21Since then, D&R Acres Hobby and Rescue Farm has received several equines. The 20 acre farm and 13,000-square-foot barn and riding facility is now home to 38 horses, donkeys, mules, ponies and miniature horses. Were kind of the retirement home for horses, said Dolores 'Doris' Harris, chief financial officer and founder of D&R Acres, of West Branch. Although many animals stay at D&R Acres for the rest of their days, the farm does adopt out equines once the animal adjusts to the situation.

When the village of Sanford was hit by massive flooding in May, Kathy Parsch set out to find her mothers ashes. ORIGINAL STORY: Sanford woman kayaks to floating home swept away by flood to recover mothers ashesSurrounded by unthinkable destruction, there wasnt a dry eye as Parschs ashes were pulled from mud. She was joined by friends on kayaks to paddle through the wreckage to find Parschs home in a river. After visiting the house seven times, Parsch couldnt find her mothers ashes. Her mothers ashes were found the day before Sanford officials would start scooping up debris to haul away.

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.

NORTHVILLE, Mich. A Northville family whose cottage was destroyed when dam failures caused catastrophic flooding in mid-Michigan said they thought they would retire in the next few years, but thats no longer the case. Julie Ann Van Ameyde said her family is still reeling from the floods and feels forgotten by the government. This was going to be our retirement home, Van Ameyde said. Van Ameyde lives in Northville, but she and her husband had a retirement home in Beaverton. An act of God, Van Ameyde said.

It turns out six dams in the area are considered “high hazard potential." A high hazard dam might cause serious damage to homes, buildings, highways and lives, according to experts. The Pontiac Lake Dam is also considered a high hazard potential -- upsetting news to those who live and fish on the lake. According to EGLE, there are 85 high hazard potential dams in the state. The Defenders asked for copies of the inspection reports and lists of violations for the six high hazard potential dams in Southeast Michigan, but we are still waiting for that paperwork.

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

Congress demands answers into Michigan dam failuresPublished: June 3, 2020, 5:41 pmA U.S. House of Representatives Committee is now investigating the State and Federal Government’s oversight of the dam failure in Midland County.

DETROIT A U.S. House of Representatives Committee is now investigating the State and Federal Governments oversight of the dam failure in Midland County. Michigan Reps. Debbie Dingle and Fred Upton, along with the House Energy and Commerce Committee is demanding answers within two weeks to specific questions about how the Edenville Dam was inspected and allowed to operate. How did EGLE label the dam in fair structural condition when it took authority back in October 2018? A copy of Dingell and Uptons letter to FERC is available here. A copy of Dingell and Uptons letter to EGLE is available here.

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.

Communities chip in for family expecting child who lost everything in Midland floodPublished: May 27, 2020, 6:18 pmWhen flood waters came through Midland County last week, it pushed Sam and Richie O’Keefe’s home against the post office.

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.

When flood waters came through Midland County last week, it pushed Sam and Richie OKeefes home against the post office. The couple is expecting to give birth to their daughter Sydney Thursday. Everything the family had prepared for baby Sydney was washed away when the dam broke. RELATED: Midland County residents sue state of Michigan over Edenville Dam failureThe couple shared their story on social media and people rushed to help -- one person drove three hours to drop off some baby items. The couple said its overwhelming how helpful others have been for Sydney.

A 28-page complaint was filed in the Michigan Court of Claims by Edenville, Mich. residents David and Andrew Krieger and James and Margaret Sperling. 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. According to the complaint, the 96-year-old earthen embankment failed after several days of heavy rain on May 19, 2020. The complaint states that the failure of the Edenville Dam and subsequent flooding of a large area in Midland County was caused, in part, by a failure of EGLE to order the necessary repairs to the dam. For decades, federal regulators had demanded changes to the design of the Edenville Dam to improve its ability to withstand flooding, and federal regulators had warned since at least 1993 that the dam failed to meet safety requirements, reads the complaint.

EDENVILLE, Mich. A task force that was set to acquire and improve mid-Michigan dams has halted the purchase after dam failures caused historic flooding last week. About 10,000 people in mid-Michigan were asked to evacuate their homes after multiple dams were breached, causing a major flooding emergency. Here is the full statement from the Four Lakes Task Force:"Recent events related to the Edenville dam failure were terrible and tragic for our community. All of us on the Four Lakes Task Force are devastated by our individual and collective losses, and our hearts go out to everyone who is impacted. The Four Lakes Task Force is collaborating with the Counties, lake communities and regulatory authorities on the best path forward as we assess the issues and work toward recovery.

Sanford woman kayaks to floating home swept away by flood to recover mother’s ashesPublished: May 23, 2020, 11:13 pmParsch and her friends are looking for her home in Sanford after it was swept away by the floods. When they first returned to the home’s location, they discovered only the foundation remained.

SANFORD, Mich. When the massive flooding overtook mid-Michigan earlier this week, Kathy Parsch was the last person to evacuate the village of Sanford. Nearly 11,000 mid-Michigan residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to a massive flooding emergency triggered by dam failures on Tuesday. READ: Catastrophic flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowNow Parsch and her friends are looking for her home in Sanford after it was swept away by the floods. Parsch and her friends found kayaks laying around and got into the water. The Sanford woman was on a mission to recover her mothers ashes that were left inside the home when she evacuated.

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:

DETROIT NASA released images that show just how devastating the historic flood was in mid-Michigan this week. The natural-color images show flooding across Midland County as observed by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8. The slider below shows the Tittabawassee River on May 20, 2020 (right), compared to June 3, 2019 (left). The after photos show the level of water that emptied from dams and rivers into neighborhoods and surrounding areas. Major flooding in Mid-Michigan: How much rain fell, how historic was it?

SANFORD, Mich. Residents were allowed back into their neighborhoods as the floodwaters in Midland County receded. Houses, garages, vehicles and more were swept away in the devastating Tuesday floods. READ: Catastrophic flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowTravis Barringer and Crystal Kerns had the only home in their neighborhood still standing, but it was filled with water and destroyed. The Edenville Dam failed Tuesday night and sent Wixom Lake into a neighborhood just down river. Kerns said they are staying with family and are hoping to find a place to call their own for their family and pets.

SANFORD, Mich. Every business along the main street in Sanford has been damaged by the flood. A new energy can be found Friday on Saginaw Road as residents help clean and fix their community. READ: Catastrophic flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowAll I could think of was that it looked like a war zone, said Pam Riggie, with Sanford Pizza. Not only is Sanford Pizza destroyed, photos inside of Riggies late father were also washed away. The customers who came for pick-up to help the business stay afloat during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders returned Friday to help clean up.

Homeowners survey devastation of Midland County floodsPublished: May 21, 2020, 12:24 pmAuthorities were assessing damage Thursday as floodwaters from heavy rains that overtook two dams retreated in some mid-Michigan communities and continued to threaten others further downriver.

SANFORD, Mich. Many people who lived in Sanford returned home to find nothing left after Tuesdays dam failures and floods. Roads were blocked off so this is the first time we could get here," said Pat Perry. Its something you cant even fathom," Pat Perry said. Just Devastating -- Wixom Lake becomes muddy field after dam failuresYou can see where my house was," Jerry Perry said. Things are just things, but it is a hard pill to swallow," Pat Perry said.

MIDLAND, Mich. New Local 4 footage shows the city of Midland largely underwater on Thursday following this weeks major flooding emergency in mid-Michigan. Watch the video below:The Edenville Dam broke on Tuesday evening and the Sanford Dam has been breached after heavy rainfall hit the region, causing massive flooding in the area. READ: Catastrophic flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowNearly 10,000 residents in Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland have been evacuated amid the major flooding emergency. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County on Tuesday night. The governor has since requested federal aid to assist with the states response to the flooding emergency.

Gretchen Whitmer has asked for a federal emergency declaration due to devastating floods in mid-Michigan. The Edenville Dam broke on Tuesday evening and the Sanford Dam breached after heavy rainfall hit the region, causing massive flooding in the area. By Wednesday morning, water that was several feet high covered some streets near the river in downtown Midland. READ: Investigating who is responsible for Edenville Dam failure that led to devastating floodsThe flooding forced about 11,000 people to evacuate their homes in the Midland area. Midland City Manager Brad Kaye said it was fortunate that the Tittabawassee River crested at just over 35 feet (11 meters), about 3 feet (90 centimeters) below the forecast level.

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.

Published: May 20, 2020, 10:54 pm Updated: May 20, 2020, 11:42 pmHeres whats coming up on Local 4 News at 11:A live look at conditions after flooding devastates mid-MichiganA 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. An estimated 10,000 people are evacuating as floods have devastated towns.

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."

SANFORD, Mich. Tim Evans is looking for his Pontiac Fieros. These were all locked down the flood took them all out," Evans said. "We love the Fiero.Late Tuesday, the Tittabawasee River began to rise and neighbors jumped in to help Evans move his cars. We had them all up on main and later found them floating down the road," said Delores Porte, Sanford Village President. "We had just a few minutes to get out of here.Evans was able to flee in one of the Fieros.

MIDLAND, Mich. All day, Thursday, people in Sanford saw the damage thats left, for the first time. Road block signs cover Sanford, blocking access to the city, but the main barrier was a bridge that washed away. READ: Catastrophic flooding, evacuations in mid-Michigan as dams fail: What to knowThere is damage all over the Midland Area, after the Edenville Dam broke and the Sanford Dam was breached late Tuesday night. I never seen it quite this high, but back in 86 it was up here quite a ways, said Headley. He would drive the stretch of Saginaw Road to Sanford almost daily, I come down here all of the time.

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.

Homes, businesses, bridges and more destroyed by flooding after two dam failures. RELATED: Dam failures lead to devastating floods across mid-MichiganThe green roof of Midland Farmer’s Market is the only part that’s visible from under eight to 10 feet of water. "We just want to get going.”Mark and Kathy Hatzner are one of the 80 vendors that would have been at the market, making money for the first time in months. “I’m thinking about the people and their houses," Kathy Hatzner said. "Their homes are destroyed.”The long term damage- - both physically and fiscally -- can’t be known yet, but Lyon knows they’ll rebuild again.

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.

As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Sanford Dam has been breached, but has not broken. The towns of Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland have been evacuated, according to Selina Tisdale, spokeswoman for the city of Midland. There have been no reported injuries or fatalities due to the flooding, and no reports of anyone trapped by the high water, Tisdale said Wednesday. Whitmer said Downtown Midland, a city of 42,000 about 8 miles downstream from the Sanford Dam, faced an especially serious flooding threat. The evacuations include the towns of Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland, according to Selina Tisdale, spokeswoman for Midland County.

BEAVERTON, Mich. – After dam failures, parts of mid-Michigan could be under 9 feet of water, Gov. Whitmer provides update on flooding, dam breach in mid-MichiganA State of Emergency has been declared for Midland County after two dams failed. The Edenville Dam broke and the Sanford Dam was breached late last night, but it did not break. When the Edenleville Dam failed and the Sanford Dam was breached, water took out bridges, houses, businesses and more. Some residents have compared it to the flooding in 2017 and 1986, but they believe the dam failures are worse.

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.

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.

The National Weather Service said communities farther downstream were bracing for flooding in the coming days. Midland City Manager Brad Kaye said Wednesday that the Sanford Dam is overflowing but that the extent of structural damage isnt yet known. The Sanford Dam, which was built in 1925, received a fair condition rating. The Weather Service issued flood warnings because 4 to 7 inches (10.2 to 17.8 centimeters) of rain has fallen since Sunday. Its going to continue downriver, Sara Pampreen, a weather service meteorologist, said.

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.

For the second time in less than 24 hours, families living along the Tittabawassee River and connected lakes in Midland County were ordered to leave home. The evacuations include the towns of Edenville, Sanford and parts of Midland, according to Selina Tisdale, spokeswoman for Midland County. Dow Michigan Operations is working with its tenants and Midland County officials and will continue to closely monitor the water levels on the Tittabawassee River, Schikorra said. The Sanford Dam, which was built in 1925, received a fair condition rating. The Tittabawassee River was at 30.5 feet (9.3 meters) and rising Tuesday night - flood stage is 24 feet (7.3 meters).