Evacuation lifted after Nashville’s secondary dam failure

NASHVILLE, Ill. (KBSI) – Residents of Nashville were asked to evacuate after heavy rain caused the Nashville dam to flood.

As you drive into Nashville on Tuesday July 16, you’ll see heavy rain caused many cars to pull over as it was hard to see to drive for a big part of the day Flooded side roads blocked off by police cars, creeks and ditches overflowing with water, and residents frantically trying to get gas, and supplies as they try to figure out what to do next.

Evan Anthoney Cordova is a resident in Nashville, and he says the flooding has caused wrecks and detours. 

“Oh yea, you can’t get into town any other way,” said Cordova. “I had to take a 10-minute detour just to get into town.” 

Cordova says he lives in town and that although his family didn’t choose to evacuate, he knows many that did.

According to the Washington County Emergency Management Agency, a second dam failure happened around 10 a.m. Tuesday in Nashville after the first dam failure around 9 a.m.

Cordova shares what he saw Tuesday morning as the dam failed and the town began to flood. 

“On my way to work this morning there was a bunch and there was a car flipped over in the ditch over there,” he said. 

Washington County Emergency Management Agency officals warned those affected by flooding should watch out for scams and remember that FEMA does not charge an application fee and to be skeptical of any unlicensed contractors offering immediate clean up or repairs.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Washington County EMA stated that the immediate safety concern was lifted and roads are starting to reopen.

No deaths have been reported at this time.

Residents are encouraged to proceed with caution.   

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