Sanford Dam fails due to rising waters from Florence

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Sanford Dam near Boiling Spring Lakes failed around 7 p.m. Saturday night (Source: Elijah David John Putnam)
BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WECT) –

At 7:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, the Sanford Dam failed due to the immense influx of water from former Hurricane Florence.

The City of Boiling Spring Lakes posted on Facebook that The Big Lake, Pine Lake and North Lake were all draining at a rapid pace.

Mayor Pro-tem Steven Barger told WECT reporters that the city had attempted a controlled breach to prevent the dam breaking, but they couldn’t reach it in time.

The city reported that it implemented its emergency action plan, and said that Alton Lennon Drive, East Boiling Spring Road and NC-87 are closed for the immediate future.

Members of the WECT: Community Voice posted photos and videos of the breach Saturday night: