( NewsNation ) — The worst of Helene’s storm is behind, but catastrophic flooding as it moves east toward Kentucky and Tennessee is highly possible.
A major dam in northeast Tennessee collapsed around 7:11 a .m. ET, according to an alert from the National Water Prediction Service at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Early Saturday morning, the National Weather Service warned of an “imminent breach” of the Nolichucky Dam on the Nolichucky River, urging immediate evacuation. The area is about 70 miles northeast of the tourist town of Pigeon Forge. A flash flood warning is in effect until noon ET.
“Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the flash flood warning said. “Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”
At least 44 people died in five states from storm-related causes following Helene’s landfall Thursday night. The Category 4 hurricane reached wind speeds up to 140 mph.