Oct 17, 2005 11:37 pm US/Eastern
Flash Flood Warning Extended To 4:45 AM In Taunton
2,000 People Have Been Evacuated In The City As Officials Prepare For A Possible Dam Breech
TAUNTON (CBS4) ―
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A support arm on the Whittenton Dam is broken.
CBS4
After officials expressed concerns of a breech in Taunton's dam, the city's mayor, in a press conference Monday night, announced that the city's evacuation would remain in effect until 8 AM Tuesday morning.
"Things are under control at this time," said Mayor Robert Nunes.
2,000 people in Taunton were evacuated from their homes Monday evening because of the possible dam failure. And officials say if the dam breeches, a 6 foot wave of water will sweep through the city.
The weekend flood waters have put so much pressure on the Whittenton Mills Dam, that a support arm broke and the dam is buckling.
Taunton's Mayor has declared a State of Emergency. A two-to-three mile area is being evacuated, including several hundred homes and businesses. Among the places being evacuated, are the offices of the Taunton Gazette newspaper, and the Millpond Apartments, an elderly housing complex.
Governor Romney toured the dam Monday evening, where he was briefed by local emergency officials.
At a press conference Monday evening, Mayor Robert Nunes said "if the dam goes, we will have major problems in our city."
"There is no flooding yet, but the water levels are rising quickly," Nunes said. Police officers and firefighters were knocking on doors and urging residents near the dam to evacuate.
Nunes said city leaders are concerned there is a danger of flooding from the Whittenton area, all the way downstream to the downtown area.
A shelter is being set up at Taunton High School for the affected families. The same area was evacuated over the weekend because of similar concerns with the dam.
Stay with CBS4 and CBS4Boston.com for updates on this developing story.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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