Due to all of the rain we’ve been getting here lately, a dam in Taunton is just about ready to bust out at the seams. I followed my usual route up through the city on my way to work, but ran right into a mass of detours that took me around the Green.
I’ve read more promising NWS reports before…
* AT 435 AM EDT…LOCAL OFFICIALS AND ENGINEERS INDICATE THE FAILURE OF THE WHITTENTON POND DAM ON THE MILL RIVER IN TAUNTON IS IMMINENT. DOOR TO DOOR EVACUATIONS CONTINUE FOR THOSE DOWNSTREAM OF THE DAM. THE DAM IS 12 FEET HIGH AND IF IT FAILS AN APPROXIMATELY 8 FOOT FLOOD WAVE WOULD OCCUR…WITH A 4 TO 6 FOOT FLOOD WAVE INTO PARTS OF TAUNTON THAT ARE DOWNSTREAM.
PEOPLE BELOW THE DAM SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION BY MONITORING LOCAL RADIO OR TELEVISION AND FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANY REQUIRED EVACUATION AS OUTLINED BY LOCAL EMERGENCY OFFICIALS.
THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA WHERE AN EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!