The picturesque Lake Lure, nestled in the western North Carolina mountains, has turned into a zone of imminent danger as torrential rain from Tropical Storm Helene threatens to overwhelm the dam, prompting widespread evacuations in nearby areas. Emergency services are urging residents in flood-prone neighborhoods to seek higher ground, as the situation grows increasingly dire.
On Friday morning, Lake Lure officials alerted the Rutherford County Emergency Management team to the critical situation at the Lake Lure Dam. By 11 a.m., water levels in the lake had risen so sharply that officials warned it would soon spill over the dam. As expected, water began to crest the dam by the early afternoon, sending a surge downstream.
The dam, constructed in 1927, has faced previous challenges but none like this. Structural supports have been compromised as water flows around the sides of the dam. Despite this, the dam wall is still holding for the moment. However, emergency responders have sounded sirens throughout the downstream areas, signaling the urgency of the situation.
Residents in low-lying communities such as Cleghorn, Union, Green Hill, and others have been ordered to evacuate immediately. Shelters have been set up at Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church and RS Central High School in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, to accommodate evacuees. Emergency management personnel are working round the clock to assist those trapped by the severe flooding, as fallen trees and downed power lines make roadways impassable.
As of Friday afternoon, the situation remains precarious. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Emergency for areas downstream of the dam, including communities along the Broad River. The water levels at the Cove Creek gauge, just downstream of the dam, surpassed record levels, rising above 23 feet. Further downstream, the Broad River has swelled to 20 feet, reaching “major” flood stage.
Tropical Storm Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida, has left a trail of destruction as it swept through Georgia and into the Carolinas. In addition to record-breaking rainfall, the storm has caused catastrophic flooding, downed trees, and power outages across the region. More than 20 inches of rain have fallen in some areas of western North Carolina, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Emergency personnel have been conducting door-to-door evacuations and swift water rescues, saving over 25 people trapped in their homes by the rising floodwaters. While water levels at Lake Lure have begun to recede, officials remain on high alert as the dam remains under intense pressure.
The dam, which was originally built for hydroelectric power generation and as a tourist attraction, has withstood decades of natural disasters. Lake Lure is a beloved destination known for its scenic beauty, and the dam has even been featured in movies like Dirty Dancing. Now, however, this iconic location faces a potential catastrophe as nature unleashes its fury.
In addition to the flooding at Lake Lure, other regions in western North Carolina are grappling with the aftermath of the storm. Flood warnings have been issued across several counties, including Avery, Ashe, and Watauga. The devastating effects of Tropical Storm Helene have claimed lives, including a 4-year-old in Catawba County and another person in Charlotte after a tree collapsed on a home.
Local authorities continue to urge residents to stay off the roads, as many are blocked by fallen debris and downed power lines. Emergency workers are doing all they can to restore safety, but the situation remains fluid as more rain is expected in the coming hours.