CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Impacts from Helene are causing significant damage across both North Carolina and South Carolina. The storm is causing excessive rain, flash flood warnings and major wind damage to property and trees.
This live blog will update throughout the day as the WCNC Charlotte newsroom is able to confirm individual storm reports.
4:36 p.m.
The Waterville Dam has suffered a catastrophic failure, according to Cooke County Mayor Rob Mathis. The county is calling for the immediate evacuation of all of Downtown Newport .
4:15 p.m.
Both Highways 64 and 74 are considered impassable at Lattimore Road.
3:30 p.m.
In Gastonia, crews are still working to clear over 100 downed trees from roadways across the city.
3 p.m.
US 321 northbound is closed from Garrison Boulevard to Third Avenue due to a tree across the road. Public Works is working on the tree now to get it removed from the roadway. it also has electrical lines in it and the Electric Division is trying to get that reconnected.
2:36 p.m.
Wesley Chapel Fire Department encouraged people to avoid the area of Waxhaw Indian Trail Road and Weddington Road (Highway 84). Power is out, traffic lights are not functioning and traffic is stopped.
2 p.m.
More than 359 North Carolina roads have been reported closed in Western North Carolina and the NC Department of Transportation is working to respond to closures and damage., according to the State of North Carolina.
1:29 p.m.
NCDOT closed Interstate 40 West at exit 123 due to a landslide across the highway in Black Mountain. This closure is expected to last for several hours.
12:54 p.m.
“The damage is worse than what we saw with 2009 ice storm and comparable to Hurricane Hugo, which previously were the most damaging storms in our cooperative’s history,” Renee Walker, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Energy Line, said.
12:44 p.m.
Near Lincolnton, SR-1345 (McCorkle Road) near NC-150 is closed due to flooding.
12:41 p.m.
Both directions of NC 181 in Avery County were closed for an hour because a mudslide made it impassable.
11:59 a.m.
In Charlotte, SR-1197 (Sam Wilson Rd.) near Old Dowd Rd. is closed.
11:42 a.m.
In Boone, NC-105 (NC 105 South), Near 105 Bypass is closed.
11:18 a.m.
In Harrisburg, SR-1161 (Stallings Rd.) near Quail Hollow Dr. is closed.
11:12 a.m.
Near Hickory, all lanes of I-40 westbound are closed near US 321.
11:02 a.m.
In Gastonia, SR-1112 (Chapel Grove School Rd) near Boyd Rd. is closed.
11:00 a.m.
Lake Lure Dam could imminently fail. Rutherford Co. Residents downstream could evacuate to higher ground.
10:59 a.m.
In Gastonia, SR-2200 (Spencer Mountain Rd), Near Gray St is closed due to flooding.
10:49 a.m.
Large oak trees topple in Uptown's Settlers Cemetery.
10:30 a.m.
In Huntersville, the McIllwaine Road is closed at the bridge due to high water.
10:20 a.m.
Toby Creek on UNC Charlotte campus crested at 7.78 ft. producing localized flooding in low-lying areas along the greenway.
10:15 a.m.
Near Wadesboro, SR-1614 (Red Hill Mount Vernon) near Jacks Branch Rd. is closed due to flooding.
10:06 a.m.
Near Lanwndale, SR-1663 (Philadelphia Ch Rd) closed near Royster Rd due to flooding.
10:03 a.m.
In Alexander County, a large tree has fallen across Rink Dam Road near River Hills Court. The road is blocked in both directions.
9:59 a.m.
Near Shelby, SR-1005 (Lafayette St) closed near Zion Church Rd. due to flooding.
9:51 a.m.
Near Shelby, NC-150 (College Ave.) near Charles Rd. closed.
9:50 a.m.
Near Huntersville, SR-2130 (Mcilwaine Rd.) near Beatties Ford Rd. is closed.
9:45 a.m.
Near Valdese, Multiple trees down westbound I-40.
9:40 a.m.
In Oakboro, SR-1970 (Hills Ford Road) near Hills View Road closed due to flooding.
9:25 a.m.
In Gastonia, New Hope Road at Robinwood Rd flooded and impassable.
9:23 a.m.
In Cabarrus County, Poplar Tent Road at Cox Mill Road closed due to water flowing over a bridge.
In Charlotte, trees and wires down on Monroe Rd. at Thermal Rd.
9:22 a.m.
King Street in Boone is flooding from excessive rain.
9:25 a.m.
In Concord, SR-1309 (Stough Rd.) near Roberta Rd. is closed due to flooding.
9:14 a.m
In Gastonia, Interstate 85 southbound approaching US 321 closed due to crash
9:11 a.m.
In Gastonia, tree down on Garrison Blvd. and South New Hope Rd.
9:10 a.m.
In Weddington, tree on car along NC 84 between 12 Mile Creek and Weddington High School.
8:55 a.m.
In Fort Mill, tree down on I-77 at Gold Hill Road.
8:52 a.m.
In Boone, NC-194 (194 North), Near Clint Lewis Road is closed.
8:47 a.m.
Near Mount Pleasant, R-1118 (Ben Black Rd.) near Bethel Ave Ext closed due to downed wires.
8:39 a.m.
Downed trees blocking roads near Great Falls Hwy. in Lancaster County.
8:33 a.m.
In Concord, SR-1157 (Old Charlotte Rd.) near NC 49 North is closed due to flooding.
8:28 a.m.
In Concord, Stough Road closed due to flooding. Water over the bridge.
8:28 a.m.
In Lincolnton, SR-1262 (Country Club Road) near US-321-BUS is closed due to wires.
8:14 a.m.
North Tryon St. at 16th St. is closed in Charlotte.
In Midland, a tree fell on a house near River Rd. and Renee Ford Rd.
8:04 a.m.
In Concord, SR-1300 (Morehead Rd.) near Hudspeth Rd. is closed due to downed wires and trees.
8:01 a.m.
North Tryon St. at 16th St. is closed in Charlotte.
7:58 a.m.
Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road is closed at Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte.
7:57 a.m.
Tree and power lines on a car along Maurice St. in Monroe.
7:55 a.m.
Tree down on Hwy. 21 and Coltharp Rd. in York County.
7:35 a.m.
Eastway Drive at The Plaza is closed in Charlotte.
7:30 a.m.
In Fort Mill, several roads are not passable including Gilmore St at Steele St, which is closed due to a fallen power line. South Dobys Rd is closed due to a fallen tree near Riverchase. Both sides of the road, the York & Lancaster county sides, have been blocked as crews remove the tree.
7:14 a.m.
In Gaston County, NC-274 (Union Rd.) near Wilson Farm Rd. is closed.
7:12 a.m.
Tree down entangled in power lines 4th Ave and Chester St. in Gastonia
6:48 a.m.
Mandatory evacuation for the area of Riverside Dr., Lake Dr., Riverhaven Dr. and parts of Beagle Club Rd. and Hart Rd. near Mountain Island Lake. Flood waters are rising. A shelter is open at Tuckaseegee Rec Center at 4820 Tuckaseegee Rd. in Charlotte.
6:46 a.m.
An unknown structure has collapsed on 150 Lakeland Drive in Mooresville, according to fire rescue. The size or description of the structure was not immediately available.
6:44 a.m.
In Bessemer City, NC-161 near 14th Street closed.
6:41 a.m.
In Boiling Springs, SR-1162 (North Main Street) near Barclay Rd. is closed.
6 a.m.
Deputies are assisting firefighters with rescuing 2 people trapped inside this house on Poinsett Dr. Rock Hill where a huge tree fell on it just around 6 am
5:15 a.m.
Tree on vehicle on Cape Hickory Rd. in Rhodhiss. Potential injuries reported.
5:12 a.m.
Tree down on US 321 between C Grier Beam Blvd and Tulip Drive near Dallas.
5:10 a.m.
One person has died after a tree fell on a home along Brookway Drive in Charlotte
5:00 a.m.
Near Boone, SR-1200 (Guy Ford Rd.), Near US-321 is closed due to flooding.
2:50 a.m.
Major flash flooding along Linville River. Swift water rescue is ongoing to get people that are trapped in rapidly rising flood waters.
2:12 a.m.
Antioach Road is now closed as Lower Creek north of Morganton has flooded the roadway.
12:30 a.m.
In Burke County, Sietz Road at John Berry Road is now closed due to flash flooding of a creek.