Additional Coverage:
Nolichucky River Flood Emergency Narrowly Averted
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene pushed the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee to dangerous levels, triggering fears of a dam failure. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) issued a Condition Red Warning, but the dam remained intact.
The river crested on Saturday morning, and water is now receding. TVA is assessing the dam’s condition.
Despite the dam’s stability, flooding continues along the river. Rainfall in the Appalachian Mountains reached up to 25 inches, causing extensive damage.
If the dam had failed, a massive flood wave would have struck nearby areas within minutes. Erwin, already experiencing flooding, would have been particularly vulnerable. A daring rescue operation saved dozens of individuals trapped on the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital after floodwaters surged into town.