Forced evacuation ordered after dam burst at Lake Lure

LAKE LURE, N.C. — Excessive rain has threatened a dam on Lake Lure, according to the National Weather Service.

At 11 a.m. Friday, Lake Lure officials told Rutherford County Emergency Management that they expected water to overflow the Lake Lure dam.

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Due to this threat, a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents of low-lying, flood-prone areas below the levee, such as the communities of Cleghorn, Union, Green Hill, and Harris and Cliffside.

Residents are asked to evacuate to Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church at 2525 N. Washington St. in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.

“Residents are urged to seek higher ground now and obey all evacuation orders from Rutherford County Emergency Management to protect your and your family’s lives,” the emergency alert for Rutherford County said.

A flash flood emergency has been declared for this area until 2:30 p.m. due to Tropical Storm Helene.

Helene brought excessive rain, flash floods and damaging winds to the Carolinas early Friday morning after making landfall in Florida late Thursday evening.

Lake Lure is located in Rutherford County, approximately two hours west of Charlotte, North Carolina.