The Mayor of Cocke County in North Carolina said Friday that the Waterville dam, also known as Walters dam, built on the Pigeon River in North Carolina, suffered 'catastrophic damage' as a result of the flood caused by Hurricane Helene. Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis wrote in a Facebook post that the dam has suffered a 'catastrophic failure' and ordered the evacuation of 'all of downtown Newport.'
Meanwhile, videos surfaced of the dam under extreme stress from the water pressure. Here are some of them:
☄️#BREAKING Here is an Ariel View of the Waterville Dam!When it breaks over 10,000 people are at risk of death if they do not Evacuate. #Breakingpic.twitter.com/HRAVu6UB1i
— Abdul khabir jamily (@JamilKhabir396) September 27, 2024
According to the US Geological Survey, by noon the Pigeon River reached 20.57 feet, and by midday, the French Broad River was just under 17 feet, both typically below five feet.