
965
WGUS52 KGSP 300440
FFWGSP
NCC111-301030-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0034.180530T0440Z-180530T1030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1240 AM EDT WED MAY 30 2018

...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR AREAS DOWNSTREAM OF LAKE TAHOMA DUE
TO IMMINENT FAILURE OF TAHOMA DAM...MANDATORY EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY...

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central McDowell County in western North Carolina...

* Until 630 AM EDT Wednesday.

* At 1226 AM EDT, Emergency Management is reporting the Lake Tahoma
  Dam is in imminent failure.  THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
  SITUATION! MANDATORY EVACUATIONS are underway for ALL residents
  and businesses downstream of Lake Tahoma along Buck Creek and
  along the Catawba River from Buck Creek and Lake Tahoma Rd (NC 80)
  to the mouth of Lake James.  To save your life, please heed all
  county evacuation notices and take action to leave the vicinity
  immediately!

  Repeating, this is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for McDowell County for
  areas downstream of Lake Tahoma and Lake Tahoma Dam to the mouth
of Lake James along the Catawba River. This is a PARTICULARLY
DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!

* Repeating, mandatory evacuations are underway from Lake Tahoma Dam
  at Lake Shore Dr down Lake Tahoma Rd (NC 80) to the confluence of
  the Catawba River near Resistoflex Rd and Riverside Park.
  Residences and businesses along US 70 from Lake Tahoma Rd to US
  221 Business near Garden Creek, as well as areas along Hankins Rd.
  to the mouth of Lake James are included in the mandatory
  evacuation.  LEAVE NOW!

* Evacuees are being asked to flee to the Glenwood Baptist Church or
  the YMCA in Marion.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Pleasant Gardens, northwest Marion, and the mouth of Lake James.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Move to higher ground NOW. This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do NOT attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.

Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to cross
water-covered roadways, bridges, or low-level crossings. Only a few
inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away your vehicle. It is
not worth the risk. Please TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

The floodwave from Lake Tahoma will increase the risk of landslides,
especially in areas where slides have occurred in the past. Be
especially alert if you are near a stream, especially at the base of
a mountain or in a cove. Watch for loose-moving soil and rocks or a
sudden increase in streamflow. Leave the area quickly if this is
observed. When driving along roads where the terrain is steep or
rocky, watch and listen for falling rocks, mud, trees and other
debris.

When it is safe to do so, please report flood waters or landslides
flowing over roads or threatening property to the National Weather
Service by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1, by posting on
our Facebook page, or via Twitter using hashtag NWSGSP. Your message
should describe the event and the specific location where it
occurred, including roadways, nearby cross streets, stream names and
other landmarks.

&&

LAT...LON 3574 8207 3572 8205 3574 8202 3574 8198
      3570 8196 3570 8200 3567 8206 3573 8211

$$

JMP
