For a time yesterday, it appeared that multiple substantial and "high hazard" dams might fail entirely--sending large walls of water downstream and presenting an even greater disaster. Fortunately, it appears that catastrophe was narrowly averted--but only just. [7/n]

Nevertheless, it's already clear that human toll is high & will likely rise further once access & telecommunications are gradually restored. This is a major regional flood disaster on a scale we haven't seen in some time in U.S., & many communities have been devastated. [8/n]