Impact of Michigan Dam Failure Minimized Thanks to Rapid Response
The dam failure that occurred on May 20, 2020, in Midland County, Michigan forced local officials and businesses to quickly implement their flood emergency plans. This was critical in order to minimize the impact, as the failure of the Edenville Dam on that fateful day was a double-whammy – the resulting flash flood compromised another dam, the Sanford Dam, resulting in evacuation orders for both towns as well as the deployment of the National Guard to the region.
Local Decision-Makers Move Quickly Following Dam Failure
Dow Chemical has a facility in the area, and the company should be commended for its rapid response. The company announced the implementation of its emergency flood plan within hours after the breach. The plan involved the safe shutdown of all operating units on the site, and the evacuation of all non-essential workers.
Another business that moved quickly to respond to the emergency was the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland. The facility immediately activated its Flood Preparedness Plan, and within hours after the incident, the company’s incident command team was in action to ensure the safety of the Center’s patients and personnel.
Of course, businesses were not the only ones acting quickly – local government agencies also moved with lightning-quick speed. Area residents were immediately notified of the danger, and the evacuation orders were communicated within minutes. All told, I think it was a great response to an emergency that came without warning. It’s clear that the local organizations had their flood emergency plans ready to go, and they wasted no time activating the response.
The situation highlights the importance of proper planning and quick decision-making during a crisis. An event like a dam failure is one of the more challenging emergency scenarios I can think of, because unlike weather event, there is no advance warning. The fact that the local decision-makers acted so quickly and decisively probably saved lives, and is a great indication of an excellent emergency preparedness approach.
