Flood fears prompt urgent evacuations after Carter Lake Dam breach in Texas

Residents of a Texas neighborhood have been urged to immediately evacuate their homes after a dam breach that officials fear could trigger flooding.

On Saturday night, Polk County Emergency Management issued an urgent Facebook alert reporting that Carter Lake Dam in Camden was compromised and that the dam’s embankment was damaged.

Though experts are still assessing the dam’s condition, officials have stressed that residents evacuate immediately, as they may be directly in the path of flooding if the structure gives way.

Authorities have warned that homes south of the dam, specifically along Henry Darden Rd, Marie Rd, Community Dr, Bo Peep, Herb Collins Rd and Girard, may lie in the trajectory of potential floodwaters.

The agency shared a map highlighting in red the homes that must urgently follow the evacuation orders.

All other residents are advised to stay completely clear of the zone in the meantime.

Polk County emergency officials in Texas said the Carter Lake Dam in Camden (pictured) was compromised and urged residents to evacuate immediately, fearing they could be hit by flooding

Polk County emergency officials in Texas said the Carter Lake Dam in Camden (pictured) was compromised and urged residents to evacuate immediately, fearing they could be hit by flooding

The agency shared a map highlighting in red the homes that must urgently follow the evacuation orders (pictured). All other residents are advised to stay completely clear of the zone in the meantime

The agency shared a map highlighting in red the homes that must urgently follow the evacuation orders (pictured). All other residents are advised to stay completely clear of the zone in the meantime

‘This precaution is necessary to ensure public safety while the situation is being evaluated, especially while nighttime conditions impede the ability to assess the seriousness of the damage,’ the alert reads.

Anyone leaving their homes is advised to find safe shelter with friends or family.

Emergency officials also said that residents who cannot find other shelter can go to Dunbar Gym for safety, located at 1103 Dunbar Avenue in Livingston.

It remains unclear how many homes or residents are being asked to evacuate, as property owners continue assessing the extent of the damage and potential risk.

Authorities are strongly encouraging residents to keep checking for updates from local emergency management and to follow any new evacuation or safety orders that may be issued in the coming hours.

As of 11pm Saturday, Polk County Emergency Management officials had not yet provided any additional details.