The National Weather Service has declared a state of emergency and is calling for evacuations:
"McDowell county emergency management reports water is spilling around the sides of Lake Tahoma dam. Evacuations ongoing south of the dam. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. HEED ALL EVACUATION ORDERS IMMEDIATELY! If you are not threatened by floodwaters, shelter in place."
A landslide has caused water to be released around the ends of the dam. A local campground is already totally underwater. This is an imminent threat to life. If you have friends in Western North Carolina, please to contact them if they may be under threat and make sure they know what is going on.
Thanks!