Hurricane Helene continues to batter WNC, Lake Lure Dam is in ‘imminent failure’
Governor Roy Cooper and local officials urge residents to stay off roads as evacuations and rescues intensify across the region.
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NCDOT.gov warning
As Hurricane Helene continues to bring heavy rain and life-threatening flooding to Western North Carolina, conditions in Rutherford County have reached critical levels. County Emergency Management issued urgent warnings today, advising residents to shelter in place unless they are evacuating due to immediate threats. “It is no longer safe to leave your home,” the county stated, citing impassable roads blocked by downed trees and powerlines.
Governor Roy Cooper has also called for residents across Western North Carolina to stay off the roads unless seeking higher ground. “For western North Carolina, do not travel unless there is an emergency,” Gov. Cooper said in a statement from Raleigh. “Conditions are worsening, and people should consider all roads closed.”
The hurricane has dumped more than a foot of rain across much of the region, with Yancey County recording a staggering 29.5 inches of rainfall. The storm has caused widespread power outages and dangerous flash flooding, particularly in the mountains and foothills. More than 359 roads have been reported closed, and local fire departments have suspended road-clearing operations due to unsafe conditions.
The Lake Lure Dam is in immediate danger of failure, with water already overtopping the dam and structural supports compromised. Emergency personnel are conducting mandatory evacuations for all residents downstream of the dam, urging them to seek higher ground. Emergency shelters have been opened at RS Central High School and Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with more than 30 North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Teams and Urban Search and Rescue Teams deployed throughout the region. Teams have already conducted over 100 rescues, as floodwaters continue to rise across Western North Carolina. The North Carolina National Guard has mobilized over 358 soldiers to support response efforts.
Residents are urged to stay informed through local officials and emergency alerts. For the latest updates on traffic, power outages, and shelters, visit ReadyNC.gov. Text “AlertRC” to 888777 for ongoing emergency notifications.
Cops & Congress Commentary: A First-Hand Account from the Heart of Hurricane Helene’s Wrath
As I write this, my family and I are hunkered down on Coopers Gap Road in Green Hill, in Rutherford County, two miles from the Broad River. We have no electricity. We are not currently under an evacuation order. Our pickup truck is pinned under a fallen tree, and like many of you, we are relying on what little we have to weather the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
We’re down to one gallon of gas for our generator, and I’m using that power to get this message out. I’m writing this on my phone, please excuse any formatting or grammatical errors.
The past 24 hours have shown how critical it is for local, state, and federal governments to prioritize infrastructure and emergency preparedness, especially for rural communities like ours. As residents of Western North Carolina, we know the risks—extreme weather is part of life here. But what we’re seeing now, with widespread road closures, downed powerlines, and dam failures, is a reminder that our region is under-resourced and often overlooked when it comes to disaster readiness.
Why Government Coordination Matters
While emergency personnel are working around the clock to respond to life-threatening situations, including the imminent failure of the Lake Lure Dam, we cannot ignore the need for better planning at all levels of government. The National Guard and North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Teams have been deployed, but many families are still waiting for help. With more than 359 roads closed in Western NC and shelters near capacity, many residents are left to fend for themselves.
Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency two days ago, mobilizing state resources, but for many of us, the response feels delayed. Gas stations are closed, supplies are dwindling, and communication lines are down. We rely on Facebook posts and sporadic cell service to stay updated. This disconnect between urban centers and rural communities underscores a larger issue: the imbalance in disaster response.
We Must Hold Officials Accountable
As your Cops & Congress public safety independent investigative journalist and local resident, I call on our local and state leaders to not only respond to the current crisis but to also invest in stronger infrastructure for the future. Our roads need to be fortified, our power grid needs modernization, and our emergency services need to be better equipped to handle extreme weather. They’re doing amazing work and need the money to do it better. It’s not enough to throw resources at the problem after it occurs; we need proactive planning that ensures all residents, regardless of their zip code, are equally protected. Thank you to all first responders!
If you’re reading this from a place of safety, I urge you to check on your neighbors and stay informed. Those of us in the heart of the storm have little information, but we are counting on the broader community to keep pressure on government officials to act swiftly and decisively.
For now, we wait, and we hope the power of our collective voices will bring the help we so desperately need.
Stay safe, everyone. I will be powering off my phone to conserve the battery at times but I appreciate your help.
In times like these, we’re not just waiting for the storm to pass. We’re holding our leaders accountable to ensure the next storm doesn’t catch us off guard.
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