TVA: Nolichucky Dam failure is imminent, could cause life-threatening flooding

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for areas below the Nolichucky Dam as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and National Weather Service (NWS) Morristown report a failure at the dam is imminent.

The TVA announced at 12:13 a.m. Saturday that its River Forecast Center had activated a Condition Red Warning at the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County.

“The breach could occur at any time due to extreme rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which is causing record river levels around the region,” the TVA stated in social media post.

People who live downstream of the dam should seek higher ground immediately. According to the TVA, “potential life-threatening flooding” could occur below the dam as far as the Douglas Reservoir.

NWS Morristown shared in its own post that the failure at the dam was imminent and would affect north central Cocke County, southwestern Greene County and southeastern Hamblen County.

Flash flood warnings are in place until 3:45 a.m., according to the NWS.

The NWS reports the dam operators reported a failure at the dam at 11:35 p.m. on Friday.

The NWS stated that if a total failure of the dam occurs, an initial flood wave will hit West Allens Bridge Road bridge in 20 minutes and the Highway 321 bridge in 30 minutes.

Anyone who lives in low-lying areas near the Nolichucky River is advised to seek higher ground immediately and exercise caution if taking to the roads.

The TVA had previously issued a Condition Yellow for the dam.

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