Minnesota Dam: Family Watch as House Falls into River

A Minnesota family's house has fallen into a river following the partial failure of a dam.

The ageing Rapidan Dam experienced a partial failure, resulting in the Hruska family house falling into the Blue Earth River on Tuesday night. Videos circulating online show gasps filling the air as the house, which had stood for more than 100 years, collapsed into the rushing river below.

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"Within hours the whole thing was gone," Shannon Whittet of the Hruska family told Fox 9.

The family are also the proprietors of the Rapidan Dam Store next door, recognized among the local community for its pies. The establishment is now also at risk of being swept away.

Neighbors and friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign in support of the family, which has currently raised almost $34,000 of its $500,000 stated goal from more than 550 donations.

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"We hope the USA and the world will help this giving, caring and just family through a very difficult and emotional loss," said a statement on the page.

Earlier in the week, local authorities warned that the Rapidan Dam was in "immediate failure condition" in the wake of major flooding and rain.

The Rapidan Dam was first built more than 100 years ago and has been managed by Blue Earth County for the last 46 years. Multiple flood events over the years have damaged the dam's structure and useability, however.

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Blue Earth County government said there had been a "partial failure on the west abutment."

"We do not know if it will totally fail or if it will remain in place, however we determined it was necessary to advise downstream residents and the correct regulatory agencies and other local agencies," it added.

"My heart goes out to all those who've lost their homes and businesses," Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"The [Minnesota National Guard] is assisting with emergency flood operations. And as communities begin to recover, additional state resources are available," he added.

A separate post read: "The damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure is devastating.

"This is an extremely challenging time. But we have rebuilt before, and alongside our local and federal partners, we will rebuild again."

Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa have recently been facing flood warnings, particularly downstream of the dam along Blue Earth river, Le Sueur River, and Minneopa Creek.

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