NWS says NC dam no longer at risk of failing, Flash Flood Warning caused by dam canceled for Cocke County

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): The National Weather Service has canceled a Flash Flood Warning for Cocke County related to a reported dam failure in North Carolina.

According to the NWS, the Walters Dam in Waterville, North Carolina is no longer at risk of an imminent failure. It said flooding along the Pigeon River continues related to Hurricane Helene.

All of downtown Newport was told to evacuate immediately after the Walters Dam in the community of Waterville, North Carolina reportedly suffered a catastrophic failure, according to Mayor Rob Mathis. The dam is located in Haywood County. 

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency also originally said the dam had suffered a catastrophic failure. However, the agency later said on social media that it was told by Duke Energy that the dam had not failed.

The agency said all of downtown Newport should still evacuate due to flooding concerns from Hurricane Helene. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said its Knoxville District Strike Team was being deployed to help with evacuations and to provide aid in all areas that need support.

Mathis also declared a state of emergency for Cocke County on social media.

The National Weather Service in Morristown also declared a Flash Flood Emergency in Newport and Hartford until 9:30 p.m. EDT. During Flash Flood Warnings, people should immediately move to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through flood waters. It said it was a life-threatening situation.

It said around 20,000 people could be impacted, as well as four schools and a hospital.

Duke Energy also released a statement about its dam, saying that it had all ages open and water was continuing to pass through it. A full statement from the company is available below.

“I wanted to confirm that Duke Energy currently has all gates open at the Waterville Dam and continues to pass water through the dam. We can confirm that both the dam and our floodgates are performing as expected.

Hurricane Helene produced historic rainfall over the past 48 hours across much of the Carolinas. We urge people living along our lakes and rivers or in flood-prone areas to use caution, stay informed and follow the directions of state and county emergency management. They should also watch for emergency notification messages on their mobile phones. Updated lake levels are available at any time at lakes.duke-energy.com.”

ORIGINAL: The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said evacuations are expected for those near the Pigeon and French Broad rivers. 

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Cocke County until 4 p.m. Friday.

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis urged people near the rivers to relocate immediately, saying the situation was “changing by the minute.” A shelter is open at the Newport Community Center at 433 Prospect Avenue. Team Farrell at 4925 Hooper Highway in Cosby said it would also open up a shelter for people in need.

The EMA said the best option for those who have to evacuate is to stay with friends or family in the area, but the shelters ar available if needed.

Parts of Hartford, which is along the Pigeon River, were partially underwater as of late Friday morning. The Tennessee Department of Transportation shared video of flooding overtaking the Pigeon River Smokehouse off I-40.

In Newport, the Pigeon River flooded up to homes and businesses along Main Street and River Street. 

Cocke County Jail inmates were evacuated to higher ground into the Cocke County Courthouse.

As of 1 p.m., Cocke County said the following roads were closed:

• I-40 East from Exit 432 to the North Carolina state line
• Highway 321 South of Wilton Springs
• Wilton Springs road
• Middle Creek Road
• Portions of Main Street and Broadway in Newport

Even though Tropical Storm Helene is moving out of the area, severe river flooding levels will increase into Saturday because of the catastrophic flooding happening in North Carolina that will flow down into the French Broad and Pigeon rivers.

RELATED: Fallen trees, wrecks, flooding and power outages reported as Helene moves into East Tennessee

The Pigeon River in Cocke County has reached a major flood stage and is at 20.5 feet as of 1 p.m., which is the highest the river has been since the floods of 2004. It’s risen close to 10 feet in the past six hours. By Friday night, it’s expected to reach 22 feet. 

The French Broad River was at 14 feet as of 9 a.m. Friday and was steadily rising. It is expected to reach major flood stage by Friday night and is forecast to crest at 23 feet by 8 a.m. Saturday.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the ramps on and off of I-40 were closed at Exit 447 to Hartford Road Friday morning after the road flooded.

This story is ongoing and we will update you as we learn more.