At least two people died and nearly 3 million have been affected by severe flooding in the Midwest, while a crucial dam is reported to be "in imminent failure condition" amid more expected severe weather, NBC News reports.
Rivers are expected to continue surging and more storms, as well as dangerously high temperatures, are expected for the region with 31 million people in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri at risk on Tuesday (June 25). Up to 2 inches of rain per hour is expected, as well as potential hail bigger than 2 inches, winds of more than 60 MPH and tornadoes, the National Weather Service reported via NBC News.
The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota is reported to be in "imminent failure condition" after recent flooding of the Blue Earth River, according to the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office. The river has reportedly cut around the sides of the dam, located outside the city of Mankato, and debris has accumulated in the water, which has led to the warning issued.
"We do not know if it will totally fail or if it will remain in place, however we determined it was necessary to issue this notification to advise downstream residents and the correct regulatory agencies and other local agencies," the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said on its Facebook account.
President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota, where the flooding had already affected 3 million people, amid recovery efforts Tuesday morning. The aid will reportedly be distributed to "areas affected by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes beginning on June 16, 2024, and continuing," the White House confirmed in a statement obtained by NBC News.