Dam failure could flood Virginia city with 17 feet of water
Dam fears force evacuation in Virginia (Weather Channel/Inform)
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LYNCHBURG, Va. — A deluge of rain in Virginia has prompted evacuations below an overflowing dam.
The National Weather Service said up to six inches (15 centimeters) of rain fell within hours, filling College Lake near Lynchburg beyond capacity. The service says a failure of the College Lake Dam could flood parts of Lynchburg with 17 feet (5 meters) of water in just seven minutes.
County officials reported the dam’s “imminent failure” at around 9:30 p.m. They were still looking for signs of structural failure early Friday as water spilling over the dam, threatening about 124 houses in the city of 80,000.
Local fire and police were sending boats to rescue people to area shelters. A flash flood watch was in effect until 11 a.m.
