North Carolina Dam’s Potential Failure Prompts Evacuations Following Heavy Rainfall

The Lake Lure dam in western North Carolina overtopped after Hurricane Helene, forcing evacuations and prompting concerns that it could fail. Officials are also worried about the potential failure of the Walters Dam in Tennessee. Lake Lure dam poses a significant risk of flooding downstream communities and even impacting towns in South Carolina. Despite being classified as a “high” hazard dam, the dam was described as in “fair” condition in a March 2023 inspection. The town of Lake Lure has been trying to replace the aging dam, receiving grants and funds from various sources to rehabilitate or replace it. Southern Appalachia has been hit by extreme rainfall due to Hurricane Helene, causing significant flooding and damage in the area. In Tennessee, initial reports of the Walters Dam failure turned out to be a false alarm, but residents were still asked to evacuate due to rising water levels. America’s aging dams, including the Lake Lure dam, highlight the need for costly restoration and improved infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change. The risk of dam failures across the country is a growing concern, with over 280 dams experiencing failures from 2013 to 2023, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue for public safety.

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