Western North Carolina Flooding

The National Weather Service calls it “Abundant Tropical Moisture” and it has been happening for days. Rain yesterday was the tipping point with many areas reporting several inches of rain as roads flooded around the region.

A state of emergency has been declared for Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village.   Interstate 40 was closed for several hours late last night and early this morning because of a mudslide by the Buncombe/McDowell County line.  Fire officials said the slide hit vehicles at mile marker 67 near Old Fort Mountain. No serious injuries were reported.

At 12:26 a.m. this morning , McDowell County Emergency Management reported the Lake Tahoma Dam was in imminent failure. Residents downstream were evacuated and emergency shelters were opened.  The Class 1 Emergency at Lake Tahoma will continue until inspectors evaluate the dam.

Roads have been closed in Buncombe, Henderson and Polk Counties as well as Yancey and Mitchell Counties because of flooding.  A flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather service for Yancey, Mitchell and Avery Counties late last night.  This station is part of the Regional and National Emergency Alert System and our regular program audio will be automatically interrupted for the broadcast of Emergency Warnings.

With the widespread continuous showers many rivers have already overflowed and will continue to rise today.