Residents have been asked to evacuate to the Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church due to concerns over the Lake Lure Dam.
LAKE LURE, N.C. — The National Weather Service has reported that excessive rainfall poses a significant threat to the Lake Lure Dam. As of 11 a.m. on Friday, officials in Lake Lure informed Rutherford County Emergency Management that they anticipate water levels will start to spill over the dam.
In light of this risk, a mandatory evacuation has been issued for residents in low-lying, flood-vulnerable areas below the dam, which includes the Cleghorn, Union, Green Hill communities, as well as Harris and Cliffside.
Residents are urged to evacuate immediately to either the Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church at 2525 N. Washington St. in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, or to RS Central High School located at 641 US-221, also in Rutherfordton.
The emergency alert from Rutherford County emphasizes, “Residents are urged to seek higher ground now and obey all evacuation orders from Rutherford County Emergency Management to protect your life and the lives of your family.”
By 1:30 p.m., emergency responders reported that water was overtopping the dam and flowing around its walls. “Structural supports have been compromised, but the dam wall is currently holding,” stated Rutherford County Emergency Management. Evacuations have been issued from the dam to Island Creek Road, and sirens have sounded downstream.
Emergency officials informed WCNC Charlotte that they are assisting residents who are trapped in their homes due to fallen trees. “Roads are hazardous with numerous downed trees and electrical lines,” they reported.
Residents in the following streets in Rutherford County are required to evacuate:
396 Memorial Highway Lake Lure, to River Landing/Calhoun Trail, Justice Drive, Silver Tree Lane, 100-341 Island Creek Rd., Finch St., Swans Way, West Raven Blvd., Chickadee Lane, Nightowls Terrace, Thrasher Lane, Chickadee Ave., Swans Way East, Pheasant Way, Wildcat Blvd, River Edge, Rainbow Circle, Bluegill Dr., Sparrows Way, Adams Lane, Mallard Rd., Teal Lane, Swans Ave., Bills Creek Rd. to Edgerton Rd., Pelican Lane, Roadrunner Circle, Coromant Dr., Bob White Ave., Red Bird Dr., and Rock Branch Rd.
A Flash Flood Emergency has been declared in this area because of Tropical Storm Helene. The first downstream gauge at Cove Creek at Highway 64 exceeded its previous record around 1:30 p.m., measuring at 23.68 feet, surpassing the earlier record of 23 feet and is expected to rise further.
Additionally, the Broad River, located just south of Boiling Springs, North Carolina, has reached a “major” flood stage, with a depth of 20 feet.
In response to rising waters downstream, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations for neighborhoods along Waterway Drive, the 1700 Block of Abes Mountain Road, and the Broad River area.
As of the latest update at 4:15 p.m., emergency workers reported that the Lake Lure Dam remains intact, although water continues to flow around and over it. Both Highways 64 and 74 are impassable at Lattimore Road. By 8 p.m., emergency officials announced that the dam was no longer at risk of imminent failure and that there was no immediate threat.
Tropical Storm Helene has brought significant rainfall, flash floods, and strong winds to the Carolinas early Friday morning after making landfall in Florida late Thursday night.