Source: https://twitter.com/ABC/status/911685598070452224
This story is interesting because of some similarities to the Oroville Dam situation. Heavy rains cause a badly built spillway to be used. Erosion ensues. Except in this case there a greater chance of the dam actually collapsing.
Here there's been mixed messages about how many people are in danger. The Tweet above says 70,000 people, however looking at the river on Google Earth, the path to the sea seems to be in a really deep ravine

In most places the walls of the ravine are over 200, getting below that only near the sea. The only houses I can see that are in danger are those right at the river mouth by the ocean, and those in the valley directly under the dam.

Obviously you would want to err on the side of caution. But presumably local officials have a plan on inundation areas in case of a dam breach. A mad scramble of 70,000+ people more than is needed would be unfortunate.
This story is interesting because of some similarities to the Oroville Dam situation. Heavy rains cause a badly built spillway to be used. Erosion ensues. Except in this case there a greater chance of the dam actually collapsing.
Here there's been mixed messages about how many people are in danger. The Tweet above says 70,000 people, however looking at the river on Google Earth, the path to the sea seems to be in a really deep ravine
In most places the walls of the ravine are over 200, getting below that only near the sea. The only houses I can see that are in danger are those right at the river mouth by the ocean, and those in the valley directly under the dam.
Obviously you would want to err on the side of caution. But presumably local officials have a plan on inundation areas in case of a dam breach. A mad scramble of 70,000+ people more than is needed would be unfortunate.