Uh oh... St. Mary's Lake, Md... CODE RED... Dam may break...

[scheming daemons]

Thousands of homes in path if dam breaks.

On CNN just now.

[Make7]

1. The AP was reporting it as a possible spillage over the top of the dam - but no damage to it.

 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/st-marys-county-md-warns-of-potential-failure-of-st-marys-lake-dam/2011/08/28/gIQAbmrsjJ_story.html
 

[Firebrand Gary]

2. Oh my god, this is scary shit.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. And MSNBC

if that happens, that will be ... I don't want to think about it... I really don't

[OmahaBlueDog]

4. Per the WaPo article cited above, we're taking overspill and 28 homes threatened

CALLAWAY, Md. — Officials in St. Mary’s County say St. Mary’s Lake near Callaway could spill over the top of the dam.

Spokeswoman Sue Sabo said early Sunday that the dam is not in danger breaching despite a deluge of rain from Hurricane Irene.

She said the potential spillage may cause significant flooding affecting 28 homes downstream.

Downstream residents are urged to move their family and pets upstairs or to a high place with a means of escape.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/st-marys-county-md-warns-of-potential-failure-of-st-marys-lake-dam/2011/08/28/gIQAbmrsjJ_story.html


Not a good news story, but we're not talking a Ninth Ward type of catastrophe, either.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. That is what the AP is reporting

[OmahaBlueDog]

7. The OP is correct, however. A Code red was issued

In other news, a tornado was spotted on the Eastern Shore.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. And this one warns of failure

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-st-marys-dam-failure-20110827,0,7021627.story

I hope the AP is right and the Baltimore sun is not just wrong, but DEAD WRONG.

[OmahaBlueDog]

6. The Saint Mary's County Government has issued a 911 Code Red emergency...

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/state/st.-mary%27s-lake-dam-failure-possible

ST. MARY'S COUNTY, Md. - The Saint Mary's County Government has issued a 911 Code Red emergency notification for a potential Dam Failure situation.

Due to the extreme rain, a notification has been issued for those in the immediate downstream area from the St. Mary's Lake Dam.

These residents should heed the following precautions.

Move family and pets upstairs or to a high place with a means of escape.

Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if flood water is about to enter your home and it is safe to do so. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
Keep listening to local radio for updates.
Flood water can rise quickly. Stay calm and reassure those around you.
Avoid walking through flood water.
Keep children, pets and vulnerable people away from flood water.
Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch flood water.
Do not drive through flood water. About 60 percent of all flood deaths are people in vehicles that are swept away by moving water.


Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/state/st.-mary%27s-lake-dam-failure-possible#ixzz1WIZ5kCwA

[WillyT]

9. Saw That...

Not good.

:kick: & Rec !!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Oh and forgot to Rec, so there RECCED

[Newest Reality]

11. Most Americans are living

in the house of a grand slumlord.

Everything is in disrepair and things are falling apart around you but still, the rent is due and it is rather high.

The infrastructure that your forefathers, grandparents and fathers labored to build is now becoming Swiss Chess because the privileged and few are demanding their endless due over you and yours and with far more importance in relation to what you all need and want.

Meanwhile, elections of titular heads entice and distract you while those who have live behind the fences of gated communities that are increasingly protecting themselves from the results of their own lifestyles and decisions while you fail and fall in droves.

[cui bono]

14. +1

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Kick

[steve2470]

13. k&r nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. I am quite familiar with that area

I think the other reports of fewer than 100 are more credible.

This one is not like the NOLA dams, its more like a minor build up to create a semi private lake. Nearby there are similar dams in Chesapeake Ranch Estates (AKA The Ranch Club) which in the past have had problems. Surprised we have not heard anything about them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Are these semi private dams maintained?

That has been a reported problem over the last ten years or so.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. The Ranch Club's certainly were, not as sure about the one in St Marys but some level would be reqd

Again, its not like NOLA or Johnstown in terms of risk of damage.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Thanks, why it is good to have a local view

MSNBC and CNN do not realize that

[Supply Side Jesus]

17. ya, I can hear CNN licks it's chops for this possibility

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. UPDATE from Reuters

UPDATE 1-Maryland warns of dam spillover as Irene hits

* County gov't says people should move to higher ground

* Park manager says no danger to dam itself - report (Adds details on dam)

Aug 28 (Reuters) - Authorities have warned of possible spillover from a Maryland dam as Hurricane Irene brought severe flooding to much of the region, though they played down earlier concerns that the dam itself could fail.

"Due to the extreme rain event caused by Hurricane Irene, a notification is being issued for a potential Dam Failure situation that may cause significant flooding that could threaten people, homes and roads downstream from the St. Mary's Lake Dam," the St. Mary's County Government website said late on Saturday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/28/storm-irene-maryland-dam-idUSN1E77R00G20110828?feedType=RSS&feedName=utilitiesSector