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Following heavy rainfall on Sunday across much of North Texas, emergency officials are closely monitoring the stability of an earthen dam in the Rockwall County community of McLendon-Chisholm.
Mayor Bryan McNeal reported that the pressure from the rain caused the ground to shift approximately six feet within the last 24 hours, raising concerns about a potential dam failure.
State officials visited Rockwall County on Monday and reassured the Mayor that evacuations or water pumps were unnecessary at this time, but monitoring teams will remain vigilant.
Despite the state’s assurance, Mayor McNeal remains cautious, expressing concern about the damage on the back side of the dam and the potential risk to homeowners in the event of a failure.
A catastrophic failure of the dam, McNeal warned, could result in flooding affecting 25 to 30 homes in the Chisholm Crossing subdivision and cause cars to “float like ice cubes.”
The primary concerns revolve around the bottom of the dam and what McNeal described as an ‘onion peel effect,’ where rainwater causes the dam to erode until it collapses.
Residents have been advised to stay prepared in case of evacuation. Karen Duignan, a resident living near the centerline of the dam, expressed her concerns about the situation, mentioning that their property started sliding after the heavy rain on Sunday.
The mayor identified specific streets where residents should take precautions and prepare for potential evacuation, including Fireside Drive, Parade Point, Granite Ridge Road, Highwater Crossing, and Stampede Run.
Preparations suggested by the mayor include gathering essential medications and important documents. McNeal assured residents that if evacuation becomes necessary, alerts will be sent through social media, homeowners associations, and the Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management.
“Until I can assure the safety of the neighbors in this community, I want to remain vigilant,” McNeal emphasized.