GREENVILLE, Tenn. – A major flooding emergency was narrowly avoided along the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee as the remnants of Hurricane Helen brought heavy rains that pushed the river several feet above record flood stage.
The Tennessee Valley Authority said rising waters have raised fears of an imminent failure of Nolichucky Dam in Greenville.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a dire flash flood emergency warning for life-threatening flash flooding.
On Friday, waves of raging river water could be seen crashing against major dams as authorities feared the dam's “imminent failure.”
Accordingly, tennessee valley authority (TVA) has issued a Condition Red Alert as Helen's extreme rainfall caused record river levels around the region.
However, the Nolichucky River flooded late Saturday morning and the dam remained intact. TVA wrote in a social media update:.
“The water is currently receding at approximately a foot per hour,” TVA said. “Our dam safety team is currently assessing the condition of the dam to determine next steps.”
TVA estimates water levels are 8 feet above record elevations, causing major flooding along the river even though the dam is still in place.
Rainfall totals reached 15 to 25 inches or more in the nearby Appalachian Mountains.
The NWS warned that if the dam were to fail, the first flood wave, or wall of water, would reach West Allens Bridge Road in as little as 20 minutes.
The town of Irwin was also located on a treacherous path from the Nolichucky River.
The town, already hit by flooding from record rainfall, was the scene of a daring rescue of dozens of hospital staff and patients who spent hours on the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital after floodwaters swept through the town. Ta.
