All evacuees safe after Marlboro County dam breach, sheriff’s office says
MARLBORO COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - People and pets living in parts of the Bennettsville area were safely evacuated Monday night after a dam breach.
That’s according to the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, one of the many agencies that responded to the Lake Paul Wallace Dam breach.
The sheriff’s office also added no major injuries were reported.
The Bennettsville Police Department said two of the areas evacuated were Shady Rest and Richardson Park.
“The residents of Shady Rest and Richardson Park were safely evaluated and taken to two safe locations within the city until the situation was evaluated and a assessment conducted to solve the issue of the flooding,” the department stated in a Facebook post.
The department also thanked the Humane Society of Marlboro County for helping rescue all animals from the flooded areas.
“They stayed open throughout the night to sheltered all animals that were brought to them,” the department said.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Monday night due to “the failure of Lake Wallace Dam.” NWS said anyone in low-lying areas below the dam should move to higher ground. The warning expired Tuesday morning.
Evacuees were asked to report to the Marlboro County High School for shelter on Monday. Pets were taken to 216 Broad Street.
Marlboro County School District moved to an eLearning day for students.
South Carolina Department of National Resources owns the dam and alerted DHEC’s Dam Safety Program staff about the “potential imminent failure” around 5:40 p.m. Monday. SCDNR, SCDOT, Marlboro County Emergency Management and SCMED are working with county law enforcement.
SCDNR said they are back at the site of the breach Tuesday morning, working with DHEC and SCDOT to determine the next steps.
The agency said Country Club Drive remains closed in both directions “due to dangerous conditions.”
DHEC reveals findings of recent Marlboro County dam inspection
The South Carolina Health Department revealed what it found out during its recent inspection of the Lake Wallace Dam.
The state agency said they perform inspections on high-hazard dams, like the Lake Wallace Dam, every two years, hoping to give dam owners recommendations and requirements to address any noted deficiencies.
During the Lake Wallace Dam’s inspection, DHEC found “no evidence during the inspection that indicated any type of imminent risk of breach or failure.”
The dam was breached on Monday, forcing some to evacuate their homes days after DHEC’s April 30 inspection.
The full inspection has not yet been finalized.
DHEC said the main priority now is protecting people and property.
The agency remains at the dam breach site, working with other state and local officials.
“We’ll be working with SCDNR to outline the regulatory requirements for repairs needed to restore the structural integrity of the dam,” the agency said.
WMBF News will update this story as more details become available.
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