The National Weather Service issued a warning on Friday, September 27, for North Carolina residents close to the Lake Lure Dam, which is positioned about 30 miles away from Asheville. The alert comes amid the ongoing destruction and havoc that Hurricane Helene is inflicting all through the South. It formally made landfall in Florida on Thursday, September 26. Now, it’s transferring upward, and a few who stay in the Carolinas are going through evacuation orders.

Did the Lake Lure Dam Break?

The dam has not damaged at the time of publication. However, the NWS introduced that dam failure was “imminent” and ordered residents close by to go away the space instantly.

“Urgent: Flash floor emergency for the Lake Lure Dam! Dam failure imminent!” the NWS wrote by way of X. “Residents below the dam need to evacuate to higher ground immediately.”

URGENT: FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR THE LAKE LURE DAM! DAM FAILURE IMMINENT! RSIDENTS BELOW THE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY! #ncwx https://t.co/InksFUUYF6

— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 27, 2024

What Caused the Lake Lure Dam Breach?

Although the dam has not damaged, residents are going through catastrophic harm and doable harm if they continue to be close to it. The NWS warned in a separate tweet that floods and different destruction from Hurricane Helene’s path can nonetheless have an effect on them.

“Even though #Helene has departed, hazards from flooding, downed trees/powerlines, and power outages will unfortunately continue for the next several days,” the NWS wrote. “Now is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.” 

Where Is There a Flash Flood in North Carolina?

The following areas in North Carolina have been issued flash flood warnings: Person, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Chatham, Wake, Johnston, Moore, Lee, Harnett, Hoke, Cumberland and Sampson Counties, in line with Fox 8.

Is Asheville Facing River Flooding?

Per the National Water Prediction, the present flooding has hit a “record flood stage.”

“This is the highest stage observed for the French Broad River at Asheville since measurements began in October 1895,” an alert from the NWP learn. “Devastating flooding of adjacent areas of the French Broad River Valley is likely.”

Earlier, flood advisories have been issued for the following areas that the French Broad River flooding would have an effect on: Madison County, Transylvania County, Henderson County and Buncombe County.