Residents monitor river levels after floodgates to dam open

This browser does not support the video element.

By Glenn Counts

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Duke Energy crews opened the floodgates Friday to the Cowans Ford Dam located near Huntersville on Lake Norman.

[ TRACKING: Flood waters continue to rise after Helene moves out ]

They’re trying to ease the pressure on some of the lakes in the area after heavy rain from what had been Hurricane Helene.

The last time that happened was in 2019. The threat remains for many people south of the Cowans Ford Dam.

[ Lake Lure Dam no longer at imminent risk of failure, officials say ]

Channel 9′s Glenn Counts found some residents who heeded a voluntary evacuation order.

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Photos: Lake Lure, Chimney Rock devastated after Helene Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area on the evening of Sept. 27, 2024

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Damage left in Chimney Rock on Monday, Sept. 30, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene

Shawn Lewis, a Mountain Island Lake resident, is worried.

“We’ve been watching the water level all day and they say it’s going to crest the highest it’s ever been,” Lewis said.

Click here for updates.

VIDEO: Historic flooding in aftermath of Hurricane Helene

This browser does not support the video element.