More News

No change overnight at Lake Needwood dam

Thursday, June 29, 2006

The Lake Needwood dam in Rockville continues to seep but is holding, Montgomery County officials reported this morning.

The evacuation order for 2,200 county residents remained in effect and officials remain concerned about the stability of the dam as seepage continues.

The water level in the lake continued to slowly recede overnight, but structural engineers have not yet determined it is safe for evacuees to return to their homes.

Officials intended to meet Thursday morning to assess the results of last night’s around-the-clock monitoring.

During the night, the number of evacuees in county shelters dwindled to 96 at Wheaton High School and six at Walter Johnson High School. Officials planned to close the Walter Johnson shelter this morning and relocate the remaining evacuees to Wheaton.