Nashville, IL Orders Evacuation After Dam Failure

Nashville, Illinois, July 17, 2024 Residents of Nashville, Illinois, are being urged to evacuate following the failure of the secondary dam at the Nashville reservoir. The Washington County Emergency Management Agency issued an urgent alert early this morning, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation as potential flooding threatens the area.

The secondary dam of the Nashville reservoir failed at approximately 9:45 a.m. today, prompting immediate action from local authorities. “Please prepare to evacuate if needed. You are in the potential flood zone. We will send out another alert if evacuation is imminent,” the agency announced. The primary dam is currently holding, according to Matt Bierman, director of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency, but the risk remains high.

As of now, the evacuation alert affects 101 households in the potential flood zone. Authorities are conducting door-to-door notifications to ensure residents are aware of the situation and can evacuate safely. Nashville firefighters have already performed one water rescue due to the rising water levels, and multiple roads in the area have been closed.

The failure of the dam comes amidst severe weather conditions that have brought unprecedented rainfall to the region. In St. Louis, nearly 9 inches of rain had fallen at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport by noon, surpassing the previous record of 6.85 inches set in August 1915. Flooding has led to significant disruptions, with parts of Interstates 70, 64, 55, and 44 being shut down at various times throughout the day.

Deputy Chief Lance Phelps of the Belleville Fire Department reported flooding on numerous roads and streets, with some vehicles stranded in the high water. He advised drivers to avoid flooded areas to prevent further rescues and accidents. The intense rains have also caused a fire at a single-family residence on Golf Course Drive in Belleville, believed to be started by a lightning strike.

In response to the dam failure and ongoing flooding, local animal shelters are taking precautions. The St. Clair County animal shelter has relocated dogs from their facility after water entered the building. “We are taking a busload of dogs out to the highway garage right now,” said a shelter representative. The building is expected to be repairable once the floodwaters recede.

The National Weather Service has predicted continued rain through most of the afternoon, although it is expected to be lighter than the overnight and early morning downpours. Meteorologist Ben Herzog stated that the metro-east area might see another quarter inch of rain before the weather clears up by approximately 4 p.m.

Authorities urge residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and prepared for further updates. “Don’t try to navigate high water situations; there’s no way to tell what could happen,” warned Deputy Chief Phelps. The Washington County Emergency Management Agency has provided a hotline for more information: 618-327-4800, extension 340.

The community is coming together to support those in need, with emergency services working around the clock to ensure safety and mitigate damage. Residents are encouraged to follow official channels for the latest information and instructions.