The TVA is spilling water at dams across Tennessee, including on the Tennessee River, in anticipation of water heading our way from North Carolina.

That's after the agency at the Nolichucky Dam on Saturday.

Scott Fiedler, a TVA spokesperson, discussed how much rain water will pass through our area as a result of .

"After Hurricane Helene, we have seen upwards of 19 inches or more of rain up in northeast Tennessee, and all that water right now is being stored in our tributary dams up there, but it needs to move somewhere, and that means it's all coming here through Chattanooga," Fiedler said.

The agency is currently moving about 500,000 gallons of water per second down the Tennessee River in order to help manage flood crest from the Nolichucky Dam.

"We need to regain all of that flood storage, because there are multiple systems in the Gulf right now, and we need to get ready and prepared to get that water, just in case Mother Nature throws it our way," Fiedler said.

Fiedler said TVA may increase the amount of water being released in the coming weeks.

The TVA is also urging the public tobe mindful of changing lake levels on large rivers or lakes, andheed National Weather Service watches and warnings.

"We want people to be mindful when they're out on the water, or near the water, that there's going to be high flows. You're going to see a lot of debris in the river as it washes down. So be very careful out on boats when you're out about on the river or even on the shoreline. We don't want any any fatalities," Fiedler said,

Fiedler says TVA prepares for hurricane season months in advance.

"We start lowering the lake levels in after Memorial Day, so we could have enough water during the summer for summer fun. But then we've got to be prepared for events like this in September and October, because we know a hurricane is going to show up," Fiedler said.

And TVA River Management General Manager James Everett says opening the spillway gates at the dam has another added benefit.

"We've got the spillway gates open, not fully open, but that's one way we can help regulate flows through the dam. We're also generating hydroelectric power. So with this rainfall comes an opportunity to also generate hydroelectric power," Everett said.

The TVA'sRiver Management team will remain staffed 24/7, and will continue to monitor this situation through the weekend.

You can find hourly updates on reservoir levels on the and the TVA Lake Info app.