Residents in North Carolina have been urged to evacuate immediately following concerns of a dam being “compromised” by floodwaters resulting from Hurricane Helene. The incident has led to chaotic scenes and confusion in the affected areas.
Officials in Cocke County, Tennessee initially reported a “catastrophic failure” of the Waterville Dam, located just across the state border in North Carolina, prompting orders for downtown Newport residents to evacuate. However, subsequent updates from state officials and the National Weather Service revealed that the dam had not failed, with the evacuation orders still in effect.
In a similar scenario, officials in Rutherford County, North Carolina instructed residents downstream of the Lake Lure Dam to seek higher ground due to floodwater overflowing the barrier. Despite the dam’s structural supports being compromised, it was reported that the dam wall was still holding, with evacuation sirens sounding downstream.
Hurricane Helene, previously a Category 4 storm with wind speeds of 140mph, made landfall in Florida before gradually weakening. As it moved inland, the storm continued to unleash heavy rainfall across several states, triggering significant flooding. The aftermath of the hurricane left at least 41 people dead in various areas.
Emergency updates and social media posts had initially caused panic with reports of dam failures, urging immediate evacuations. However, Duke Energy confirmed that the Waterville Dam had not failed and that it was functioning as expected after opening all floodgates. Similarly, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality stated that the Lake Lure Dam appeared structurally intact, despite overtopping and erosion in some areas.
Numerous evacuation orders were issued in both Rutherford and Cocke Counties, with shelters set up to accommodate affected residents. The exact number of evacuees remained unclear, but with populations of approximately 7,000 in Newport and 1,600 in Lake Lure, the impact of the evacuations was significant.
As the situation unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring the dams and the surrounding areas to ensure the safety of residents. The Lake Lure Dam, built in 1927, holds historical significance and is classified as a “high hazard” structure due to its downstream population density.
Residents in the affected regions are urged to stay vigilant and heed evacuation orders as the authorities work to manage the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the threats posed by the compromised dams.