The Lake Lure dam in western North Carolina overtopped following Hurricane Helene, leading to evacuations and fears of potential failure. A second dam, Walters Dam, also raised concerns in nearby Newport, Tennessee. Lake Lure dam was at risk due to structural support compromises, leading to emergency evacuations and efforts to hold the dam wall. The dam is a high hazard dam, with a fair condition rating from a 2023 inspection. The town of Lake Lure has been working to replace the aging dam, receiving grants for the project. At the same time, confusion arose in Newport regarding the status of the Walters Dam, with initial reports of its catastrophic failure later corrected to not catastrophic but still a risk. Flooding downstream of both dams was reported. Aging dam infrastructure in the U.S. is a concern, with many dams needing costly restoration to meet current climate challenges. Reports show that from 2013 to 2023, 283 dams in the U.S. experienced some form of failure, highlighting the need for greater attention to dam safety nationwide.
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Residents evacuated due to potential dam failure in North Carolina following heavy rainfall
