CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Mudslides and flooding crippled the North Carolina mountains and foothills Tuesday night, blocking road, closing schools and prompting a call for mandatory evacuations around a dam "due to imminent failure."
The National Weather Service reports a landslide compromised the integrity of Lake Tahoma Dam in McDowell County. Mandatory evacuations were underway at 2 a.m. in the area of Lake Shore Drive, Resistoflex Road and Riverside Park, said the National Weather Service.
Shortly before midnight, the National Weather Service sent out a tweet noting there were reports water was spilling around the sides of Lake Tahoma dam. NBC news reports thousands are being evacuated early Wednesday, after McDowell County Emergency Management sent out a tweet saying failure of the dam was "imminent."
"Act now to preserve your life!" said two stern tweets issued by the National Weather Service early Wednesday. "This is a life-threatening situation. Heed all evacuation orders immediately."
A U.S. Geological Survey automated rain gauge about 2 miles south of the Tahoma dam, measured 3.88 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.
McDowell County Emergency Management said the evacuation order will remain in effect until dam inspectors view the area under daylight conditions.
As a result of the threat, McDowell County schools will be closed Wednesday and classes at McDowell Tech have been canceled, reported McDowell County Emergency Management.
A flash flood watch remains in effect for all counties surrounding Mecklenburg and a flash flood warning is in effect for Rutherford County until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, with small streams expected to rise rapidly and flood low lying roads, intersections and underpasses.
More rain is expected Wednesday in the region, ranging from a 60 percent chance in Charlotte to a 70 percent chance in far western communities like Franklin. Thunderstorms could produce occasional cloud-to-ground lightning, and briefly gusty winds could knock down trees, say forecasters.
WSOC is reporting there were "several" landslides in McDowell County and that four swift water rescues were carried out overnight.
The National Weather Service tweeted early Wednesday that rainfall records were broken in some areas, including nearly 1.76 inches of rain that fell in 24 hours at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport.
The flooding dangers began late Tuesday when a flash flood emergency was declared for McDowell County, including the cities of Marion and Old Fort. "This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION," the alert said. "SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!"
It's only the second time ever that the Greenville-Spartanburg office has issued a flash flood emergency.
Although Subtropical Depression Alberto is weakening, it brought bands of heavy rain to Western North Carolina.
Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, a mudslide closed both directions of Interstate 40 in McDowell County, according to McDowell County Emergency Management.
Local officials told WSOC that some cars on the interstate were trapped in the mudslide, but the motorists were able to get out and none were hurt, the station reported.
The interstate was reopened about 4:30 a.m. near Old Fort, reported McDowell County Emergency Management. However, one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes will remain closed for several days for repairs.
The National Weather Service issued a bulletin at 10:44 p.m. warning of the threat of more landslides into the weekend for the mountains and Foothills.
All campgrounds along the Catawba River were evacuated, and significant flooding is occurring along the river.
The storm has killed two people in the state _ journalists with WYFF, the NBC-TV affiliate in Greenville, S.C. Anchor Mike McCormick and photojournalist Aaron Smeltzer were covering hazardous weather conditions in Polk County on Monday when a tree crushed their news van, the station reported.
State and local officials were monitoring expected flooding Tuesday along the Roanoke River near Roanoke Rapids and the French Broad River at Fletcher and Blantyre later this week, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. Officials continue to monitor the French Broad River in Asheville, the Neuse River in Smithfield, the Roanoke River in Williamston and the Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw for flooding.
In Avery County, U.S. 221 remained closed Tuesday while repairs were made from damage caused by heavy rains earlier this month., according to Cooper.
Several secondary roads are closed in Transylvania County due to flooding, including Wilson Road, Davidson River Road, Island Ford Road and Cascade Lake Road, the governor said. Some roads in Eastern North Carolina are closed as well.
