The Lake Lure dam in western North Carolina overtopped after Hurricane Helene hit the area, causing evacuations due to concerns that the dam could fail. Nearby residents were also warned about a potential dam failure at the Walters Dam in Tennessee. The Lake Lure dam, located east of Asheville, was at risk of failure and could lead to flooding downstream and into neighboring South Carolina according to officials. The emergency response was complicated by blocked roads and downed trees, making it difficult to assess the condition of the dam.
The 124-foot tall Lake Lure dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Broad River operated by the town of Lake Lure. The dam’s operators lost power but were able to manually operate floodgates to prevent complete failure. The town has been trying to replace the aging dam, receiving grants from FEMA and the state of North Carolina for the project. The dam was previously classified as in “fair” condition but was eroding on one side, raising concerns about its stability during the heavy rainfall brought by Hurricane Helene.
The area near Lake Lure had been experiencing extreme rainfall for several days, with up to 16 inches of rain falling over the past three days. The dam was considered a “high” hazard dam, meaning that failure could cause loss of life. While the town had been working on infrastructure improvements to the dam, the emergency evacuation was prompted by fears of imminent failure due to the ongoing flooding. In nearby Tennessee, the false alarm about the failure of the Walters Dam caused confusion and evacuation warnings to be issued.
As a whole, the aging infrastructure of dams in America poses a significant risk as they were not designed for the current climate conditions and population distribution. The Association of State Dam Safety Officials estimated that billions of dollars would be needed to bring nonfederal dams up to standard. Data from the past decade shows that dam failures can occur, with some leading to public safety issues such as flooding and property damage. The incident in Nebraska in 2019 where a man drowned due to a dam failure highlights the need for ongoing maintenance and monitoring of dams across the country.
In response to the emergency situation at the Lake Lure dam, officials and emergency personnel were working to evacuate residents downstream and assess the condition of the dam. The uncertain situation was made more challenging by the ongoing heavy rainfall and blocked roads in the area. While the dam was still holding at the time of the overtopping, concerns remained about the potential for failure and the resulting impact on neighboring communities. The false alarm in Tennessee added to the confusion and highlighted the need for accurate information and communication during emergency situations involving dam infrastructure.
