TWAIN HARTE—
A flash flood warning has been issued because of the possibility of a dam failure in Tuolumne County. The warning is in effect until almost 11 p.m. Sunday night.
Sunday morning, the operator of the Twain Harte Dam reported seeing water flowing through cracks and hearing loud booms near the reservoir.
The National Weather Service is warning people who live downstream of the dam, including the communities of Sullivan Creek, Belleview and nearby areas, of the possibility of a flash flood if the dam fails.
People who live near, or need to travel near, Sullivan Creek are asked to not try to drive over the water and escape rising waters by moving to higher ground.
Crews are investigating, and say there is no immediate threat of structure failure at the dam, but they are evaluating.
UPDATE: The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services tweeted out an update just before 4:30 p.m. saying Twain Harte dam level was being reduced by 10 feet, and there is no threat of a dam failure, and that officials will be making repairs as needed.
Twain Hart dam level being reduced by 10 feet. No threat of dam failure. Officials will assess and repair as needed.
— San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services (@SJC_OES) August 3, 2014