Officials warn that the failure of Lake Lure Dam is “imminent” due to floods from Hurricane Helene. As of 1:30 pm ET on Friday, September 27, evacuation orders have been made to residents in Rutherford County, North Carolina, particularly for those who live downstream of the dam. The warnings come from the NC Emergency Management for Rutherford County, per the National Weather Service (NWS).
Why Lake Lure Dam in North Carolina is breaking, officials say
The Lake Lure Dam is failing due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene, since downgraded to a tropical storm, causing torrential rains and “catastrophic flows along the Broad River” that are feeding into the lake.
Water is already “overtopping” the dam, and while it is still holding, structural supports have been compromised, according to local news center WSPA.
The NWS urgently warns all residents in the affected area to seek higher ground immediately. Locations along the Broad River, or French Broad River, that could experience catastrophic flash flooding due to the dam breaking include “Lake Lure, Cleghorn community, Union community, Green Hill community, near Harris, and near Cliffside.”
The Broad River had already risen by “10 feet” by late Thursday, according to Buncombe County Emergency Services Director Taylor Jones via the Asheville Citizen Times.
In response, the flash flood warning for the area has been extended to 2:00 AM ET on Saturday. Evacuations sirens have sounded downstream of the dam with emergency personnel going door to door to ensure the safety of any residents. Evacuees are being temporarily relocated to the local Ingles supermarket in Lake Lure.
In May 2019, the Lake Lure Town Council said that the dam was in “fair condition” based on its age and that it was an “engineering marvel” according to engineers.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late Thursday, and the center of the storm is expected to remain over Kentucky and Tennessee through to Sunday.
