Pressure building on rural north Mississippi dam
Source: AP
By JAY REEVES
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) A rain-swollen lake in rural north Mississippi rose at least a foot overnight, keeping heavy pressure on a dam that is in danger of failing, state and local officials said Wednesday.
An inspection of the Oktibbeha County Lake dam on Tuesday led to warnings that it was in danger of failing and recommendations that people in the area evacuate. A breach would affect an estimated 130 properties and nine highways.
There is a still the potential for a dam breach, Malary White of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in an email.
A release from Oktibbeha Countys emergency director, Kristen Campanella, said the lake level had risen a foot overnight.
County officials work on the Oktibbeha County Lake Dam, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, near Starkville, Miss., after County Engineer Clyde Pritchard warned the dam's failure was imminent. Emergency management officials in one Mississippi county say heavy rains could cause a failure in the dam at Oktibbeha County Lake and they're urging residents near there to evacuate as a precaution. (Brad Robertson/The Starkville Daily News via AP)
Read more: https://apnews.com/e2e6d3921ad5fddebd6c9b5179498bfc