Subtropical Storm Alberto Triggers Landslides, Evacuations

Residents living below Lake Tahoma Dam, N.C., were ordered to evacuate following numerous landslides. The landslides were triggered by heavy rains in the subtropical depression following Alberto—the first named hurricane of the season. The threat of additional flooding, landslides and debris flow continues for the region through Wednesday evening, according to CNN.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for McDowell County and warned residents the floods had reached life-threatening levels. NWS reported as of 4:15 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 30, widespread flooding was present in the region with heavy rainfall of 4 to 6 in. during the past 24 hours. 

“Floodwaters have reached levels not seen since the Sept. 2004 floods associated with Hurricanes Frances and Ivan,” NWS wrote. “Numerous evacuations of residences, businesses, and campgrounds, road closures, water rescues, and landslides are ongoing.”

Upon inspecting Lake Tahoma Dam, McDowell County officials said that the threat of imminent failure remains a possibility and that evacuations of the area will continue until engineers can fully inspect the dam in daylight hours, NBC News reported. 

The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will move through the Tennessee Valley, into the Ohio Valley, and through the Great Lakes region Wednesday and Thursday. Florida, Mississippi and Alabama declared emergencies ahead of the storm.