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Residents downstream of two dams on the North Carolina-Tennessee border have been told to evacuate after reports of flooding from Hurricane Helen and the threat of major flood damage to their structures.
A state of emergency has been declared at the Waterville Dam in Tennessee, located across the state line from Newport, North Carolina. Residents of the town of Newport, population 7,000, were ordered to leave on Friday afternoon.
Elsewhere in North Carolina on Friday morning, Rutherford County emergency management officials warned residents below Lake Lure Dam to evacuate because of “imminent failure,” but later said the structure was holding.
At least 42 people were killed after Helen crashed into Florida late Thursday as a 140-mph, Category 4 hurricane, pummeling the West Coast with “unsurvivable” conditions, including a 15-foot storm surge. Helen has since been downgraded to a tropical cyclone, but remains “life-threatening” as it moves north.
Seven deaths were reported in Florida, and a total of 15 people died in Georgia, including an emergency responder. South Carolina reported 19 more deaths, including two who died when a tree fell on their home Friday morning. Two deaths were reported in North Carolina.
By late Friday, Helene was moving north toward Louisville, Kentucky, threatening to bring more dangerous downpours to the Appalachian region.
Flash flood warnings remain in place across three states.
A flash flood emergency remains in place for parts of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia on Saturday.
Online video shows the devastation of the small North Carolina towns of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, which were completely swept away by floodwaters.
Mike BediganSeptember 28, 2024 14:50
A TV reporter interrupts live broadcast to rescue a woman trapped in Hurricane Helen.
A Fox meteorologist jumped into action on live air early Friday morning to rescue a woman trapped in her car by deadly Category 4 Hurricane Helene.
Bob Van Dillen was reporting from North Atlanta, Georgia, which was hit by flooding and massive wind gusts, when in live footage a woman could be heard frantically calling for help from a white car submerged in water.
Read the full story here.
Mike BediganSeptember 28, 2024 14:30
First responders among those killed in Georgia
Vernon “Leon” Davis, deputy chief of the Blackshear Fire Department, died shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday when a tree fell on his city truck, the department said. Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 13:53
Video shows heroic water rescue by Atlanta firefighters.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 12:53
Helene damages historic Georgian buildings.
Several historic buildings in downtown Valdosta partially collapsed.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 11:53
A major North Carolina highway is being washed out in Helene.
A section of I-40 in North Carolina was lost due to Tropical Cyclone Helen.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 10:53
Helen has become a tropical depression, but historic impacts continue in southern Appalachia
Helen has been downgraded since a tropical cyclone, but the National Hurricane Center said historic and catastrophic damage will continue through Saturday.
“Widespread, severe river flooding is ongoing, some of which will be record-breaking,” the agency wrote to X.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 08:53
Alligator found swimming on Florida streets
In Sarasota, Florida, an alligator was spotted swimming through the streets through floodwaters.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 07:53
Coast Guard officials released footage of a man and dog being rescued in Florida.
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 06:53
North Carolina tornado sweeps through city, injuring several people.
Officials said three buildings sustained significant damage. Images and videos posted on social media showed the remains of buildings scattered across the city.
Damage appeared to be concentrated along Wesleyan Boulevard and Tiffany Boulevard. An 18-wheeler tractor-trailer truck also overturned in the area, but the driver was not injured.
With a report from the Associated Press
Michelle Del ReySeptember 28, 2024 05:53
