GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for areas below the Nolichucky Dam as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) Morristown report that a dam failure is imminent.
The TVA announced at 12:13 a.m. Saturday that its River Forecast Center had activated a Condition Red Warning at Nolichucky Dam in Greene County.
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“The breach could occur at any time due to extreme rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which is causing record river levels in the region,” the TVA said in a social media post.
People living downstream of the dam should immediately seek higher ground. According to the TVA, “potential life-threatening flooding” could occur below the dam all the way to Douglas Reservoir.
The Kinser Bridge, Highway 107 in Greene County, collapses in Nolichucky
NWS Morristown shared in its own message that the dam failure was imminent and would impact north-central Cocke County, southwestern Greene County and southeastern Hamblen County.
Flash flood warnings are in effect until 3:45 a.m., according to the NWS.
The NWS reports that dam operators reported a malfunction at the dam on Friday at 11:35 p.m.
The NWS stated that if the dam fails completely, an initial wave of flooding will hit the West Allens Bridge Road bridge within 20 minutes and the Highway 321 bridge within 30 minutes.
Anyone living in low-lying areas near the Nolichucky River is advised to immediately seek higher ground and use caution when heading out.
The TVA had previously issued a Condition Yellow for the mother.
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