Helene triggers deadly floods as death toll rises; Tennessee dam break imminent: Live updates
Thousands told to evacuate their homes in North Carolina after storm Helene shifts north
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Residents downstream of two dams on the North Carolina-Tennessee border were told to urgently evacuate after reports that the structures were at risk of failure due to flooding and deluges from Hurricane Helene.
The Waterville Dam in Tennessee, which sits across the state line from Newport, North Carolina, was declared a state of emergency. Residents in Newport, a town of 7,000 people, were ordered to get out on Friday afternoon.
Earlier on Friday in another part of North Carolina, Rutherford County emergency management officials warned residents below the Lake Lure dam to evacuate due to “imminent failure” - but later said the structure was holding.
At least 42 people have died after Helene crashed into Florida as a 140mph, Category 4 hurricane late Thursday, pounding the west coast with “unsurvivable” conditions including 15ft storm surge. Helene has since been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone but is still packing “life-threatening” conditions as it plows north.
There were seven deaths reported in Florida, and a total of 15 people died in Georgia, including an emergency responder. Another 19 deaths were reported in South Carolina including two people who died when trees fell on houses Friday morning. North Carolina reported two deaths.
By late Friday, Helene was moving north towards Louisville, Kentucky and threatening more dangerous downpours over the Appalachia region.
Military members working with FEMA to respond to Helene
Military members from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama are now helping people harmed by Helene.
“It’s a web of a lot of professionals working together. We have our own transportation department. And they do a great job of just organizing us,” said FEMA staging unit leader Author Manning, according to WSFA12. Hundreds of service members call the base home and are mobilizing in response to the storm. Meals and aid are expected to make their way out of the base in the coming days.
Insurers could pay $5B to cover losses from Helene
Insurance data provider A.M. Best on Friday estimated that insurers will pay $5 billion or more to cover losses from Hurricane Helene.
A.M. Best said insurers paid $2.5 billion to $4 billion in losses for Hurricane Idalia last year, and it expects losses from Helene to be more severe.
With reporting from The Associated Press
Curfew issued in western North Carolina community
Officials in a western North Carolina town have issued a curfew due to safety risks from flooded streets and downed power lines from what remains of Hurricane Helene.
“It’s very dangerous out there,” Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb said. “If you don’t have to be out, don’t go out.”
Lamb said the curfew would occur over a 12-hour period starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
With reoprting from The Associated Press
Pinellas County police say Florida’s barrier islands will remain closed Friday
Tropical Storm Joyce is strengthening in the Atlantic
Tropical Storm Joyce has become more organized, the National Hurricane Center said Friday.
The Atlantic storm was moving toward the northwest, and some additional strengthening was forecast through early Saturday.
Gradual weakening is expected next week.
North Carolina officials say Lake Lure dam ‘currently holding' after urgent evacuations
Residents downstream of a North Carolina dam have been ordered to evacuate after the barrier was “compromised” by floodwaters due to Hurricane Helene.
In a series of Facebook posts on Friday, the Rutherfood County Emergency Management Department told those living nearby to immediately flee to higheer ground due to flash floods overtopping the Lake Lure Dam.
“Water is cresting the dam and flowing around the side walls. Structural supports have been compromised, but the dam wall is currently holding,” the Department said at 1:44pm local time.
The Independent’s Io Dodd has the latest:
Video from Florida’s Sarasota County shows widespread flooding impacts
Tornado hits North Carolina businesses
A tornado was confirmed Friday in northern Rocky Mount, city communications specialist Robin Cox told The Associated Press.
There was damage to businesses in the area, but the city did not yet confirm if there were any injuries.
With reporting from The Associated Press
Dozens rescued. from flooded Tennessee hospital
Dozens of people were being rescued by helicopter from a flooded Tennessee hospital inundated by Helene.
Some 54 people were moved to the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital while water rapidly flooded the facility.
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