Nashville Dam is about to burst with residents of nearby Illinois town ordered to evacuate

Residents of Nashville, Illinois, have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to an imminent failure of the Nashville Dam. The Washington County Emergency Management Agency issued the evacuation order, citing the dam’s critical condition. The affected area includes Nashville Grade School and Nashville High School.

As of Tuesday, July 16, 2024, emergency personnel have been delivering evacuation instructions to 299 phone numbers, and a shelter has been set up at 680 W Walnut St. in Nashville. The Red Cross has been activated to assist with the evacuation efforts.

The dam, Nashville City Reservoir Dam, is 740 feet long and 26 feet tall, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Heavy rain in the area, with nearly three inches falling in Salem, Illinois, has contributed to the dam’s precarious situation.

Residents in the affected area are advised to evacuate immediately and avoid driving through standing water. Those not in the designated evacuation zone are asked to remain in their homes and avoid traveling unless necessary. 17GEN4.com