GREENVILLE, Tennessee – A serious flood emergency was narrowly averted along the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee. Remnants of Hurricane Helen Torrential rain fell, causing the river to reach several feet above record flood levels.
The Tennessee Valley Authority said rising waters raised fears of imminent failure of the Nolichucky Dam in Greenville.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe emergency warning of life-threatening flash flooding.
Strong waves of river water were seen hitting the major dam on Friday as officials feared its “imminent breach”.
In response, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has activated a status red alert due to record river levels around the area caused by Helene’s excessive rainfall.
But late on Saturday morning the Nolichki River overflowed and the dam remained intact TVA wrote in an update on social media,
“The water is currently receding approximately one foot per hour,” TVA said. “Our dam safety teams are in the process of assessing the condition of the dam to determine next steps.”
TVA estimates water levels have reached 8 feet above record highs and even with the dam still standing, there is widespread flooding along the river.
Rainfall totals in the nearby Appalachian Mountains reached 15–25 inches or more.
The NWS warned that if the dam failed, the initial flood wave – a wall of water – would reach West Allen Bridge Road in just 20 minutes.
The city of Irwin was also in danger. From the Nolichki River.
The city is already facing flooding due to record rainfall and was the site of a heroic rescue of dozens of hospital staff and patients who spent hours on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital after floodwaters rose over the city.
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