GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – A critical flooding emergency was narrowly averted along the Nolichucky River in eastern Tennessee as remnants of Hurricane Helene unleashed downpours that drove the river several feet above record flood stage.
The surging water sparked fears of an imminent failure of the Nolichucky Dam in Greeneville, the Tennessee Valley Authority said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an emergency flash flood warning for life-threatening flooding.
Waves of raging river water were seen crashing over the large dam on Friday as authorities feared it was “imminent to breach”.
In response have Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) activated a red warning due to Helene’s extreme rainfall which caused record river levels around the region.
But the Nolichucky River crested late Saturday morning, and the dam remained intact, it That was written by TVA in an update on social media.
“The water is currently receding at about a foot per hour,” TVA said. “Our dam safety teams are evaluating the condition of the dam to determine next steps.”
TVA estimated water levels reached 8 feet above the record high and even with the dam still standing there is extensive flooding along the river.
Rainfall reached 15-25 inches or more in the nearby Appalachian Mountains.
The NWS warned that if the dam fails, the first flood wave — a wall of water — would reach West Allen’s Bridge Road in just 20 minutes.
The the town of Erwin was also along the path of danger from the Nolichucky River.
The city is already experiencing flooding from record rainfall and was the scene of a daring rescue of dozens of hospital staff and patients who spent hours on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital after floodwaters poured into the city.