Polk County residents living near Carter Lake Dam are facing a serious threat due to damage sustained by the structure; authorities are urging immediate evacuation for those in the potential path of flooding. The areas of concern include residences along Henry Darden Road, Marie Road, Community Drive, Bo Peep, Herb Collins Road, and Girard, as reported by Click2Houston.
Despite initial fears of a breach, the situation at Carter Lake Dam did not deteriorate overnight, and property owners are seeking to stabilize the dam by deploying large-volume pumps to lower the water level, thus aiming to prevent catastrophic flooding; this was confirmed by officials in a morning update according to KHOU. The emergency plan involves pumping water out of the lake to down the spillway, targeting a 1-to-2-foot reduction in water level for a more accurate assessment of the dam's condition, although the specifics regarding the size of the hole discovered in the dam embankment have yet to be clarified.
Polk County Emergency Management stressed the urgency of vacating the area for those living south of the compromised dam, and residents are encouraged to find temporary residence with friends or family where possible. In the absence of such arrangements, Dunbar Gym at 1103 Dunbar Avenue in Livingston has been set up as a public shelter, equipped with cots and emergency supplies to accommodate those affected by the evacuation order, as detailed by KHOU.
The Polk County Office of Emergency Management has issued a Flash Flood Warning until 6 p.m. Sunday after private dam owners reported a serious leak at Carter Lake Dam. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is going door to door, urging residents to evacuate as a precaution, though the evacuation is not yet mandatory. Officials are asking everyone to stay alert and follow updates from Polk County Emergency Management as the situation is closely watched, as per KHOU.
