Illinois town evacuated when reservoir dam topped after six inches of rain

(The Center Square) – Several inches of rain led to the evacuation of the south-central Illinois town of Nashville on Tuesday as water flowed over a nearby reservoir.

“… the Nashville Reservoir dam was overtopped, flooding downstream and forcing an evacuation of residents in the affected area downstream,” according to a statement from the Washington County, Ill., Emergency Management Agency.

The agency alerted residents of Nashville at 8:24 a.m. of the evacuation and opened a community center as an emergency shelter, according to a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Less than 10 minutes before the post, the government agency warned citizens to stay at home due to an emergency flood situation.

“Stay at home unless evacuations are needed,” the organization posted on social media at 8:17 a.m. “DO NOT attempt travel. Many roads are underwater with another 2 to 4 inches of rain possible. Crossing flooded areas may result in permanent injury or death.”

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for Washington and Clinton Counties for the remainder of Tuesday afternoon. Radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain in the region, leaving between 2 and 6 inches of rain, and an additional 1 to 3 inches were still expected.

Troop 8 of the Illinois State Police posted on X a stretch of Interstate 64 between mile markers 50 and 61, and exits 34 and 61 were closed in both directions. Flooded roads continue to cause problems for first responders throughout southern Illinois.

“Complicating the dam situation are multiple area road closures, severely restricting travel on all major Washington County roads,” according to the agency. “Neighboring agencies working to assist Washington County were unable to immediately reach the area and were forced to take alternate routes or wait. As of 1 p.m. today, Washington County EMA has documented over 6 inches of rain.”

No significant injuries or deaths were reported by the agency.

“Residents in the area should stay home and off the road if possible,” the agency statement said.