Nolichucky Dam failure is imminent, threatening major flooding

The Nolichucky DamPhoto byTVA

The National Weather Service in Morristown extended its flash flood warning until noon after Nolichucky Dam operators reported "the failure of Nolichucky Dam causing flash flooding downstream."

The flash flood warning is for north central Cocke County, southwestern Greene County and southeastern Hamblen County in East Tennessee.

The Tennessee Valley Authority overnight issued a warning of a dam breach as a precaution, saying the lack of visibility and rising water made it hard to assess the situation.

"The breach is expected to occur at any time due to extreme rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene which is causing record river levels around the region," spokesperson Scott Brooks said in a news release.

TVA warned "potentially life-threatening flooding can occur as far downstream as Douglas Reservoir." The Reservoir is about 40 miles west of Nolichucky Dam and about six miles south of the juncture of Interstates 40 and 81.

People are urged to follow any evacuation order and never to drive into floodwaters.

Manley Baptist Church in Morristown is serving as a shelter, with a maximum capacity of 75 beds in the gym. Brent Sadler, shelter manager for The American Red Cross, told Knox News that 13 people have traveled to the church for shelter as of 9 a.m. Sept. 28 − a mix of people from Cocke, Greene and Hamblen counties.

The Nolichucky Dam, eight miles southwest of Greeneville, was built in 1913 and is no longer a hydroelectric station. It creates the Davy Crockett Reservoir, a prime location for smallmouth bass fishing.

The Nolichucky River starts in North Carolina and flows into the French Broad River in East Tennessee. It's a world-class whitewater rafting destination.

Extreme rainfall from Hurricane Helene is finally making its way through the rivers and dams, causing them to rise even as the rain has stopped.

The Nolichucky River at the Nolichucky Dam rose from 43.32 feet at 4 p.m. Sept. 25 to 62.57 feet at 10:15 p.m. Sept. 27, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration models. The measurements are qualified, meaning they are combined with local expertise and experience to arrive at true figures.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order for "critical relief to victims of severe weather and flooding."

He asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide resources as well.