News

Emergency officials plan to hold a practice evacuation at central Ohio’s Buckeye Lake where federal officials have warned a deteriorating dam could fail.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that emergency officials in Licking and Fairfield counties will hold the drill April 25 at the urging of Gov. John Kasich.

A recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report concluded there is a high risk of failure at the earthen dam at the lake about 30 miles east of Columbus. The report said such a failure could put 3,000 lives at risk.

Kasich has said Ohio will replace the dam.

Emergency officials say the drill will be a useful learning experience. Volunteers from the counties’ community emergency-response teams will play the roles of evacuees. Other interested residents are invited to participate.