Heavy rain threatened dam near homes in Matthews

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Neighbors who live near a dam near Chipwood Lane in Matthews were concerned Thursday afternoon that the dam could break from the force of the water underneath. Hours later, officials said there was no longer a threat.

“Somewhat surprised. We’ve never had that issue come up before,” said resident Timothy Belk.

Several inches of rain fell Thursday, creating flooding concerns in neighborhoods and near businesses.

The neighborhood is just off Idlewild Road in Matthews, and there’s another earthen dam that’s not too far downstream that also had an issue.

“We have some preparedness kits in the house so if we need do need to leave we’re prepared,” Belk said.

If the first dam were to break, the second one would also break. Later in the evening, the fire chief said it’s all safe now with two pumps pumping 2,000 gallons a minute.

“The engineer recommendation is to get this 3 feet below where it is,” said Peter Blaich, battalion chief.

Blaich said more pumps were brought in to pump the lower pond as well.

“To put in perspective, that pump can do 870 gallons per hour,” Blaich said. “The pump that’s coming in can do 20 gallons per minute, so we’re not anticipating to have to be here all night. But we are ready to be here all night if we have to.”

Emergency crews were at the dam to pump water out of it and ease the pressure. No evacuations were in place Thursday.

About 15 homes on five streets are in the line of water, so most of the homes in the surrounding neighborhoods would not have been in trouble if the worst did happen, fire officials said.

Police would have coordinated the evacuation.

“Just be aware,” said Tim Aycock, Matthews police. “Just monitor our social media for the fire department as well.”

Officials will check levels every hour overnight.

Tropical Storm Debby hit the Charlotte area early Thursday and dropped at least four inches of rain in the metropolitan area.

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Matthews and Mecklenburg County planners designed the three-tier dam system to protect residents and lighten the water load of each dam.

“You actually have three ponds here,” said Corbin Highland, with Matthews Emergency Management. “So you have a pond up top with a dam. You have a pond here with a dam and you have a pond below with a dam. So, this is the second. The first one is privately owned and the bottom two are owned by the city of Matthews.”

(VIDEO >> TRACKING: Tropical Storm Debby brings heavy rain, wind gusts)

TRACKING: Tropical Storm Debby brings heavy rain, wind gusts

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