Minnesota dam update as flood risks washing homes away

Homes are in danger of being washed away after a partial dam failure in Minnesota.

Authorities said on Monday that the Rapidan Dam is in “immediate failure condition” following major flooding and rain across the state in recent days.

Videos posted on X, formerly Twitter, show one house next to the dam perched over collapsing ground, washed away by the flood water.

The Blue Earth County government said the river had cut around the west side of the dam, and that there had been “partial failure on the west abutment.”

“We do not know if it will totally fail of it it will remain in place, however we determined it was necessary to advise downstream residents and the correct regulatory agencies and other local agencies,” it said.

The National Weather Service issued a warning that flooding was expected downstream of the dam along Blue Earth River, Le Suer Rive, and Minneopa Creek. It said people in low lying areas should move to higher ground immediately.

Rapidan Dam is near the city of Mankato, home to around 45,000 people.

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