Rising floodwaters, potential dam failures threaten North Carolina communities in Florence’s wake

With the worst of the heavy rainfall behind them, some communities in North Carolina are now faced with rising floodwaters and potential dam failures in Florence’s wake, with flood dangers expected to extend for weeks after the storm.

The Durham Fire Department reported via Twitter just before noon on Monday that major flooding along North Durham's Eno River has resulted in rescues and evacuations along Rippling Stream Road, with 11 rescues having been made in the area so far.

"Please be aware of the river conditions if you live along any waterways in the area," officials urged via Twitter.

Ashe County emergency management officials warned of the imminent failure of Headwaters Dam in Creston on Sunday night.

The potential dam breach prompted a flash flood warning in the area through 8 a.m. EDT Monday. Officials urged residents living downstream of the dam to evacuate.

Southeast of Charlotte in Hoke County, officials report that a dam at McLaughlin Lake sustained damage overnight on Sunday and might potentially breach.

Nearby residents were under mandatory evacuation, but some are reportedly beginning to return home as of Monday morning.

There were initial fears of a dam breach in Hope Mills in Cumberland County, North Carolina, as well.

Although nearby residents downstream were asked to get out of harm's way as a precaution, officials clarified Sunday that the dam was intact despite rumors of a breach related to floodwaters triggered by Florence, CBS News reported.

Hope Mills officials reportedly got the water level down to 96 feet prior to Florence's arrival, and after the hurricane's heavy downpours, the water level swelled to 105 feet, according to CBS News.

Thirty minutes south of Hope Mills in Lumberton, a set of temporary levees broke on Sunday, according to the Washington Post. The failure happened in an area where a levee also failed during Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

The levees, initially built to protect the city’s west and south sides from flooding, failed as water compromised the structures as it piled up on the Lumber River’s north side, the Asheville Citizen Times reported.

Rainfall in Lumberton reached 2 feet over the weekend, which pushed water levels in the Lumber River up to 25 feet, almost a foot higher than levels recorded during Matthew, according to reports.

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