GREENEVILLE, Tenn – A catastrophic flood threat is escalating along the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee as the remnants of Hurricane Helene trigger torrential rains, pushing the river to the brink of a critical emergency.

The swelling water poses an immediate danger to communities downstream and may lead to widespread flooding and damage, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned, declaring a major flash flood emergency Saturday as Nolichucky Dam in Greeneville nears collapse stands.

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The Nolichucky Dam structure did not fail, the Tennessee Valley Authority said. However, the county’s local emergency management officials will coordinate evacuations if necessary.

(Tennessee Valley Authority)

The NWS said the “particularly dangerous situation” posed a threat to surrounding communities in north-central Cocke County, southwest Greene County and southeast Hamblen County through the evening.

“Go to a higher level now!” warned the agency. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing a flood zone or have an evacuation order.”

Waves of raging river water were seen crashing over the large dam on Friday as authorities feared an “imminent breach”. In response, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) issued a Condition Red Warning as extreme rainfall in Helene resulted in record river levels in the region.

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Waves of raging river water were seen over Tennessee’s Nolichucky Dam on Friday as authorities feared an impending breach.

(Ricardo Morfin via Storyful)

The largest U.S. utility that operates the Nolichucky Dam noted that “potentially life-threatening flooding” could occur as far as Douglas Reservoir.

“Local emergency management officials will coordinate evacuations if necessary,” the TVA emphasized. “Please pay attention to advice from your local EMA and heed all warnings.”

The NWS warned against this Should the dam fail, the first wave of flooding – a wall of water – would reach West Allens Bridge Road in just 20 minutes.