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Updated: 8:42 PM Jun 21, 2009
Water Woes in One Kentucky Community
Water officials estimate there are at least six million gallons of water behind the dam in Crafts Colley, and some say if it breaks before the water goes down, everyone downstream could be in trouble.
Posted: 3:42 PM Jun 21, 2009Reporter: WYMT News Email Address: News@wsaz.com |
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2 Comments 
LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Letcher County officials say a local dam is in danger of breaking, which could flood several homes below it. People in the Crafts Colley community were asked to leave their homes until officials can control the flow of water.
Water officials estimate there are at least six million gallons of water behind the dam in Crafts Colley, and some say if it breaks before the water goes down, everyone downstream could be in trouble.
The dam is already partially washed away after the recent heavy rain in Letcher County. Judge Executive Jim Ward says, "The culvert in it has rusted away and the dam is about to breech, it's about to wash out."
Crews are pumping water from the top of the silt pond to other ponds and streams to prevent a possible catastrophe. Ward says, "We're trying to get it in a controlled manner so that if we have any more storms like we had at Neon, if that happened here, this dam would probably break."
The Pine Mountain Search and Rescue Squad went door to door asking people to voluntarily evacuate until the water is under control.
Monica Caudill says, "Mom's like 'Well I'm not leaving my home.' So we came up here and moved the motor bikes and most of our vehicles and stuff."
But not everyone is worried.
William Morton says, "I'm not too concerned about it. It might make the creek a little muddy and make the creek rise, but I don't think it will cause any problems."
Emergency officials say most families are choosing to stay in their homes.
Caudill says, "You want to protect what you can and if you're here trying to work, you feel like you've done something at least, to save your home."
Some officials believe the area was not properly reclaimed years ago, which could be adding to the problem. The Ermine Senior Center is open for anyone needing a place to stay.
Latest Comments
It is so annoying to me when people are asked to leave their homes and they don't do it. If this dam does break it will be so sad to see people die when it could have been prevented. I know first hand what it is like to lose your home. We lost our home and animals in a fire last year. At least my family was ok and that is all that matters in the end.
pictures???????????????/
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