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Hurricane Helene live: At least 41 dead as two towns under evacuation orders over dams facing ‘catastrophic failure’

Thousands told to evacuate their homes in North Carolina after two dams compromised as storm Helene shifts north

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Residents downstream of two North Carolina dams are being urgently evacuated after one structure suffered “catastrophic failure” and the other was “compromised” 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 41 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 17 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.

1727476272

Alligators spotted swimming in Florida streets

In Sarasota, Florida alligators have been spotted swimming through streets amid flooding.

Michelle Del Rey27 September 2024 23:31

1727474436

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

Julia Musto27 September 2024 23:00

1727473536

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

Julia Musto27 September 2024 22:45

1727472039

Pinellas County police say Florida’s barrier islands will remain closed Friday

Julia Musto27 September 2024 22:20

1727471448

Several injured after North Carolina tornado tears through city

Four people were critically injured and numerous others sustained minor injuries after a tornado touched down in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Officials said three buildings received significant damage. Images and video posted to social media showed the remains of buildings scattered around city blocks.

The damage appeared to be concentrated on Wesleyan Boulevard and Tiffany Boulevard. An 18-wheel tractor-trailer truck also flipped over in that area, but the driver was not hurt.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Julia Musto27 September 2024 22:10

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Helene becomes a post-tropical cyclone - but historic impacts continue in southern Appalachians

Helene has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, but severe the National Hurricane Center said historic and catastrophic impacts would continue through Saturday.

“Widespread serious river flooding is ongoing, some of which will be major to record breaking,” the agency wrote on X.

Julia Musto27 September 2024 22:08

1727470262

Sign has stark warning for North Carolina travelers

Julia Musto27 September 2024 21:51

1727470181

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.

Julia Musto27 September 2024 21:49

1727467693

Tennessee Dam suffers ‘catastrophic failure’ forcing evacuation

A Tennessee Dam has suffered a catastrophic failure, forcing the evacuation of the city of Newport.

Newport is a city of about 7,000 people roughly 60 miles southwest of where dozens of people were being rescued from the roof of a hospital.

Julia Musto27 September 2024 21:08

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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:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hurricane-helene-lake-lure-dam-failure-b2620147.html

Julia Musto27 September 2024 20:31

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