PENDLETON, Veroche -- Authorities in rural western Veroche have evacuated hundreds of people after heavy rains have raised water levels and caused concerns about the stability of an earthen dam.
The Billy Budd Reservoir, southwest of the city of Pendleton, is at dangerously high levels following six inches of rain that fell over the past three days in the region.
The area near the reservoir is rural, but there are still hundreds of homes in the direct vicinity downstream.
The Ebley County Department of Emergency Management and the Veroche Department of Public Lands has evacuated almost 300 people in the area, and Veroche Governor Tom Harper has asked the Civil Guard to bring in sandbags and other reinforcements for the earthen dam.
"Very concerned about the situation in Ebley Co. and other western Veroche communities," Harper tweeted Sunday night. "I've asked @CivilGuard to assist, and will continue to monitor."
However, local officials have criticized Harper for what they call a sluggish response.
"We called the governor's office three days ago and asked for his help, and he only finally called the Civil Guard today," said Ebley County Commissioner Harlan Thomasson.
Harper's office refuted that claim, saying the governor "has been engaged since before the storm hit."
Ebley County is a deeply conservative county, and many residents are not fond of Harper, a Nationalist. Some have suggested the dispute between Harper's office and local officials is politically-motivated.
"He isn't the most popular guy around here, no," said Thomasson. "But the safety of our residents shouldn't be hung up or delayed because he's a liberal and the people here are conservative."
While the political battle continues, residents with homes along the reservoir and the Swan River, which forms the reservoir, are on high alert.
The National Weather Observancy Bureau (NWOB) says it expects the water levels to drop over the next week.
"Every day without rain is good, but the earthen dams are especially vulnerable," NWOB Meteorologist Chad Covington told the GBC.
No rain is forecasted until Saturday.
The Billy Budd Reservoir, southwest of the city of Pendleton, is at dangerously high levels following six inches of rain that fell over the past three days in the region.
The area near the reservoir is rural, but there are still hundreds of homes in the direct vicinity downstream.
The Ebley County Department of Emergency Management and the Veroche Department of Public Lands has evacuated almost 300 people in the area, and Veroche Governor Tom Harper has asked the Civil Guard to bring in sandbags and other reinforcements for the earthen dam.
"Very concerned about the situation in Ebley Co. and other western Veroche communities," Harper tweeted Sunday night. "I've asked @CivilGuard to assist, and will continue to monitor."
However, local officials have criticized Harper for what they call a sluggish response.
"We called the governor's office three days ago and asked for his help, and he only finally called the Civil Guard today," said Ebley County Commissioner Harlan Thomasson.
Harper's office refuted that claim, saying the governor "has been engaged since before the storm hit."
Ebley County is a deeply conservative county, and many residents are not fond of Harper, a Nationalist. Some have suggested the dispute between Harper's office and local officials is politically-motivated.
"He isn't the most popular guy around here, no," said Thomasson. "But the safety of our residents shouldn't be hung up or delayed because he's a liberal and the people here are conservative."
While the political battle continues, residents with homes along the reservoir and the Swan River, which forms the reservoir, are on high alert.
The National Weather Observancy Bureau (NWOB) says it expects the water levels to drop over the next week.
"Every day without rain is good, but the earthen dams are especially vulnerable," NWOB Meteorologist Chad Covington told the GBC.
No rain is forecasted until Saturday.
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