Residents near Michigan dam urged to prepare for evacuation as more rain is forecast

The hydroelectric dam, which was built in 1922 and is currently in ‘fair’ condition, is classified as a high-hazard structure because a failure could lead to significant destruction and loss of life - (Michigan State Police Management and Homeland Security Division/Facebook)

Residents near the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex should be prepared to evacuate at any time as rising water levels threaten the structure, authorities in northern Michigan said Monday.

The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office issued a warning noting that the dam’s water levels had reached the “READY” mark of the state’s emergency safety protocol. The National Weather Service placed the area under a flood watch until 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, with more rain expected to hit the region.