LAKE LURE, N.C. — Excessive rain had threatened a dam at Lake Lure, according to the National Weather Service.
At 11 a.m. Friday, Lake Lure officials told Rutherford County Emergency Management they expect water to start spilling over the Lake Lure Dam.
Because of that threat, a mandatory evacuation was enacted for residents in low-lying, flood-prone areas below the dam such as the Cleghorn, Union, Green Hill communities as well as Harris and Cliffside.
Residents were asked to immediately evacuate to the Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church at 2525 N. Washington St. in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, or RS Central High School at 641 US-221, Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
"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," the emergency alert for Rutherford County read.
As of 1:30 p.m., emergency workers said water is cresting the dam and flowing around the side walls.
"Structural supports have been compromised, but the dam wall is currently holding," Rutherford County Emergency Management said. "Evacuations have occurred from the dam to Island Creek Road. Evacuation sirens are sounding downstream of the dam."
Emergency management told WCNC Charlotte they are working to evacuate residents who are trapped in their homes due to downed trees in the area.
"Roads are hazardous with an insurmountable number of trees and electrical lines that are down," Rutherford County Emergency Management said.
Residents living along the following streets in Rutherford County need 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
- Phesant 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.
- Rock Branch Rd.
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for that area due to Tropical Storm Helene. The first downstream gauge at Cove Creek at Highway 64 surpassed its previous record around 1:30 p.m. It was measured at 23.68 feet and the record was 23 feet before. It's expecting to rise further from there.
Further downstream, the Broad River just south of Boiling Springs, North Carolina has reached "major" flood stage with a depth of 20 feet.
Due to rising waters downstream, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has ordered an evacuation for neighborhoods along:
- Waterway Drive
- 1700 Block of Abes Mountain Road
- Broad River-area
Emergency workers sent an update at 4:15 p.m. said Lake Lure Dam was still holding, but water continues to flow around it and over it. Both Highways 64 and 74 are considered impassable at Lattimore Road. Around 8 p.m., emergency officials said it was no longer at risk of imminent failure with no immediate threat.
Helene brought excessive rain, flash floods and damaging winds to the Carolinas early Friday morning after making landfall in Florida late Thursday night.
Lake Lure is in Rutherford County about two hours west of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a popular tourist attraction. The lake was first constructed in 1925 when the initial dam was built along the river. The lake was created to boost tourism and create a recreational waterway.