Residents Watch as North Carolina Dam Fails After Florence Rains

The city of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina, lowered the water levels behind Sanford Dam ahead of Hurricane Florence’s arrival, but it was not enough as the lakes’ waters breached the dam on Saturday night, September 15.During the breach, water washed out Alton Lennon Drive over the dam and rushed into the green space below. Three lakes – Patricia Lake, known as the Big Lake, and North and Pine Lakes – almost completely drained out by Monday.Images taken about an hour and a half before the breach, seen here, show water approaching the road. Credit: Holly Bussell Powell via Storyful