Panicked local officials initially said the Waterville Dam and the Lake Lure Dam had burst, but both were reportedly still holding as of Friday afternoon

A North Carolina dam failure is imminent after water levels at the Broad River rose 10 feet in a few hours from Hurricane Helene.

Several counties in western North Carolina are experiencing flooding caused by heavy rain from what was Helene.

"Flash Flood Emergency for the Lake Lure Dam! Dam failure imminent! Residents below the dam need to evacuate to higher ground immediately!"

The nearly 100-year-old dam suffered damage to its structural supports but was still holding Friday afternoon, officials said.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered Friday morning, as local officials notified the National Weather Service that a dam failure was imminent. On Friday morning, gauges operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported the Broad River was nearing 992 feet,

The Lake Lure Dam is no longer at an imminent risk of failure, emergency management officials in Rutherford County posted on Facebook shortly after 8 p.m. Friday.