Residents downstream of two North Carolina dams are under emergency warning after flooding and floodwaters from Hurricane Helen caused one dam to suffer a “catastrophic failure” and put the other “at risk.” I am evacuating.
Waterville Dam in Tennessee, across the state line from Newport, North Carolina, has been declared a state of emergency. Residents of Newport, a town of 7,000 people, were ordered to leave Friday afternoon.
Elsewhere in North Carolina, emergency management officials in Rutherford County early Friday warned residents beneath Lake Lure Dam to evacuate due to an “imminent failure,” but later said the structure was being maintained. Announced.
Late Thursday, Helen slammed into Florida as a 140 mph Category 4 hurricane, pummeling the West Coast with “unsurvivable” conditions including a 15-foot storm surge, killing at least 41 people. Helen has since been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, but remains heading north with “life-threatening” conditions.
Seven deaths were reported in Florida, and a total of 15 people died in Georgia, including an emergency worker. Seventeen deaths were reported in South Carolina Friday morning, including two people killed when a tree fell on a home. Two deaths were reported in North Carolina.
By late Friday, Helen was heading north towards Louisville, Kentucky, threatening to bring even more dangerous downpours to the Appalachian region.
curfew issued in western North Carolina communities
Town officials in western North Carolina have issued curfews, citing safety risks from flooded roads and downed power lines from the remnants of Hurricane Helen.
“It’s very dangerous out there,” Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb said. “If you don’t have to go out, don’t go out.”
Lam said a 12-hour curfew will be in place from 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday.
Reprinted from Associated Press
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 22:45
Pinellas County police say Florida’s barrier island will remain closed Friday.
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 22:20
North Carolina tornado tears through city, injuring several people
Officials said three buildings sustained significant damage. Images and videos posted on social media showed the remains of buildings dotting the city block.
Damage appeared to be concentrated on Wesleyan Boulevard and Tiffany Boulevard. An 18-wheel trailer truck also overturned in the area, but the driver was not injured.
From an Associated Press report
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 22:10
Helen turns into a tropical storm, but historic impacts continue in the southern Appalachians
Although Helen has been downgraded to a post-tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said its historic and devastating effects will continue into Saturday.
“Wide and severe river flooding is underway, some of which will be of record magnitude,” officials wrote to X.
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 22:08
Signs offer stern warning to North Carolina travelers
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 21:51
Tropical Storm Joyce strengthens in the Atlantic Ocean
The National Hurricane Center announced Friday that Tropical Storm Joyce is becoming more organized.
The Atlantic storm is moving northwest and is expected to gain some additional strength into early Saturday.
It is expected to gradually weaken next week.
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 21:49
Tennessee Dam suffers ‘catastrophic failure’ forcing evacuations
A catastrophic dam failure in Tennessee forces the evacuation of Newport.
Newport is a city of about 7,000 people located about 90 miles southwest of where dozens of people were rescued from the hospital roof.
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 21:08
North Carolina officials say Lake Lure dam is ‘currently impounded’ after emergency evacuation
Residents downstream of a North Carolina dam have been ordered to evacuate after Hurricane Helen’s flooding “compromised” the levee.
In a series of Facebook posts Friday, the Rutherhood County Emergency Management Agency urged people living nearby to immediately seek higher ground as flash flooding overtopped the Lake Lure Dam.
“Water has reached the top of the dam and is flowing around the sidewalls. The structural supports are damaged, but the dam walls are currently holding up.” The ministry said: 1:44 p.m. local time.
The Independent’s Io Dodd has the latest updates.
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 20:31
Video from Sarasota County, Florida showing widespread flooding effects
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 20:25
Tornado hits North Carolina business
tornado It was confirmed in northern Rocky Mount on Friday, said Robin Cox, the city’s communications specialist. Associated Press.
There was damage to nearby stores, but the city has not yet confirmed whether anyone was injured.
From an Associated Press report
Julia MustoSeptember 27, 2024 20:13
