Tennessee dam narrowly avoids failure after heavy rain from Helene

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GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – A critical flood emergency was narrowly averted along the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee as the remnants of Hurricane Helene unleashed torrential rainfall, pushing the river several feet above record flood stage.

The surging waters triggered fears of an imminent failure of the Nolichucky Dam in Greeneville, The Tennessee Valley Authority said. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a dire Flash Flood Emergency warning of life-threatening flash flooding.

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Waves of raging river water were seen crashing over the major dam on Friday as authorities feared its “imminent breach.” In response, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) activated a Condition Red Warning due to Helene’s extreme rainfall causing record river levels around the region.

But the Nolichucky River crested late Saturday morning, and the dam remained intact, the TVA wrote in an update on social media. “Water is currently receding by approximately one foot per hour,” the TVA said. “Our Dam Safety teams are in the process of assessing the condition of the dam to determine next steps.”

The TVA estimated water levels reached 8 feet over the record elevation and even with the dam still standing, there is extensive flooding along the river. Rainfall totals reached 15-25 inches or more in the nearby Appalachian Mountains.

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The NWS warned that if the dam fails, the initial flood wave —a wall of water— would reach West Allens Bridge Road in just 20 minutes.

The town of Erwin was also along the path of danger from the Nolichucky River. The town is already experiencing flooding from the record rains and was the site of a daring rescue of dozens of hospital staff and patients who spent hours on the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital after floodwaters surged into town.

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