Concerns over Nolichucky Dam failure extend flash flood warning

The National Weather Service in Morristown extended its flash flood warning until midday after Nolichucky Dam operators reported that “the failure of Nolichucky Dam caused flash flooding downstream.”

The flash flood warning is in effect for north central Cocke County, southwest Greene County and southeast Hamblen County in East Tennessee.

The Tennessee Valley Authority issued a dam breach warning overnight as a precaution, saying the lack of visibility and rising water made it difficult to assess the situation.

“Due to the extreme rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which is causing record river levels in the region, a breach is expected to occur at any time,” spokesman Scott Brooks said in a news release.

Just before 10 a.m. on Sept. 28, TVA posted on social media that the Nolichucky River had reached its crest and the dam was holding together.

“Our dam safety teams are in the process of assessing the condition of the dam to determine next steps,” TVA said. “We estimate the water level has reached 8 feet above the record high.”

TVA warned, “Potentially life-threatening flooding may occur downstream to Douglas Reservoir.” The reservoir is about 40 miles west of Nolichucky Dam and about six miles south of the intersection of Interstates 40 and 81.

People are urged to follow all evacuation instructions and never drive into flood waters.

Manley Baptist Church in Morristown serves as a shelter and has a maximum capacity of 75 gym beds. Brent Sadler, American Red Cross shelter director, told Knox News that as of 9 a.m. Sept. 28, 13 people had traveled to the church to seek shelter – a mix of people from Cocke, Greene and Hamblen.

The Nolichucky Dam, eight miles southwest of Greeneville, was built in 1913 and is no longer a hydroelectric dam. This creates Davy Crockett Reservoir, a premier smallmouth bass fishing location.

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The Nolichucky River rises in North Carolina and flows into the French Broad River in East Tennessee. It is a premier whitewater rafting destination.

Hurricane Helene’s extreme rainfall is finally making its way through rivers and dams, causing them to rise even though the rain has stopped.

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeling, the Nolichucky River at Nolichucky Dam rose from 43.32 feet at 4 p.m. on September 25 to 62.57 feet at 10:15 p.m. on September 27. The measurements are qualified, meaning they are combined with local expertise and experience to arrive at real numbers.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order providing “critical assistance to victims of severe weather and flooding.”

He asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to also provide resources.

Concerns over Nolichucky Dam failure extend flash flood warning

ByJasper

By Jasper

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