Tracking the Tropics
Officials watching dam in Lamar County
Posted: Sep 5, 2012 10:09 AM by AP
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Lamar County officials are using pumps to drop water levels in an earthen dam at the southern end of the Lake Serene system that was damaged by the heavy rains of Hurricane Isaac.
County Engineer Don Walker tells the Hattiesburg American that more than a foot of rain that fell in the area last week saturated the barrier between Oak Grove and Stump lakes, causing about a 100-yard section of the downstream embankment to slough off.
Since being discovered Monday, the jagged surface crack has extended to the western edge of now-closed Buccaneer Drive, crumbling the asphalt edge in growing sections.
Walker says the dam has not been breached.
A precautionary evacuation of 14 homes below the Buccaneer Drive Dam has been issued.
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