(This report has been updated with new information.)
Officials in Cocke County urged all of downtown Newport to evacuate immediately just after 3 p.m. Sept. 27 following reports that a North Carolina dam had “suffered a catastrophic failure,” though the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said around 4:40 p.m. it was told by Duke Energy the dam had not failed.
Walters Dam is owned and operated by Duke Energy and controls a portion of the Pigeon River. The Walters Dam is also known as the Waterville Dam and both names were used in various officials communications…