Emergency cancelled after potential dam failure in Carroll County
Emergency Management Officials for Carroll County have cancelled the emergency related to the potential dam failure in the Pipers Gap Community.
Officials say, anyone who was evacuated can now return to their home.
A flash flood warning has been extended to 9:30 a.m. Friday for the potential dam failure in Carroll County.
According to the National Weather Service, local emergency management in the county reported the damn north "remains under threat of failure."
The National Weather Service report says crews are still at the scene working to reduce the level of water in the lake.
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A 40-foot-high dam has been on the verge of failure for hours.
The draining of the lake began a little before 9pm, and hasn't stopped since.
Authorities dug an emergency spillway and brought in a massive pump to try and prevent a catastrophic collapse.
"There are a half a dozen house that would be particularly effected, and those folks we still would recommend that they don't return until we give them the OK to do so," said Everett Lineberry, Emergency Services Director for Carroll County.
Lineberry warned that if the dam fails, a 15 foot high wall of water could flow downstream towards the 2100 block of Pipers Gap Road.
He says that while the water is going down, there is still real danger.
"There's still a good chance that this could give way and flow down toward highway 97," said Lineberry.
Earlier, Virginia State Police shut down Pipers Gap Road and suggested to residents that they should evacuate.
One resident, Michael Edwards heard the warnings and chose to stay put.
"I have animals and stuff here on my property that if it was dangerous I want to get them out of the way, said Edwards.
Authorties are unsure if the dam could fail, and encouage everyone in the vicinity of Pipers Gap Road to be vigilant.
The privately owned, unnamed lake is about an acre and a half.
The dam itself is nearly 40 feet high, and as of late Thursday, water was still flowing through the earthen dam and carving a deep gash in the front.
As the draining continues though the night, authorities will be monitoring the dam, just in case.
