News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
An earth dam along Wrights Lake has breached in Monterey Friday night.
Putnam County Emergency Management Director Tyler Smith said about 20 feet of water has already drained out of the lake as of 6pm. That water is running under Interstate 40 toward US 70 in Monterey.
TDOT has been contacted. Most of the water is draining into the culvert system but Smith said they are concerned it will get overrun.
Crews told our Jason Bailey they hope the water falls below the breach so the can try to make repairs. As of 7pm, water was still flowing out of the breach.
A flash flood warning has been issued for the area as well as northwestern Cumberland County. National Weather Service Meteorologists do not believe the water will make it to Cumberland County.
The lake is a 17-acre lake located around Perdue Farms. This is near the former Lakeside Deli at 1838 Industrial Drive, just down from the Perdue Farms plant.
Water will flow southwest from the dam between Verble Hollow and Perdue Farms. Crews are on the scene trying to contain the flooding, while trying to keep the drain clear of debris.
An earth dam consists of compacted dirt built in layers. They consist of gravel, broken weathered rock, sand, silt, or soil.
Industrial Drive, which connects Highway 70 with the Perdue Plant is currently closed to thru traffic. Volunteer Energy crews have been called to the area for possible power outages.
