Emergency Declared Over Weakened Stanislaus Levee

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) -- Alarmed by a weakened levee on the San Joaquin River, Stanislaus County supervisors have declared a flood emergency.

The Modesto Bee reports that rising water has eroded eight feet into the levee near Gomes Lake, prompting the declaration on Tuesday. Declaring the emergency could lead to financial help from the state and federal government.

While county authorities say the condition of the levee is not what they termed an "imminent threat," it is being closely watched because a breach would threaten 7,000 acres of farmland and thousands of dairy cattle.

County officials say flooding caused by rising water levels of the San Joaquin River has forced the evacuation of some trailer parks and could damage county parks, roads and bridges.

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