The authorities were evacuating people downstream from the Nolichucky Dam, warning that a breach could cause deadly flooding.

Douglas Dam was spilling a record amount of water, 450,000 gallons a second. The Nolichucky Dam withstood twice the water flow of Niagara Falls.

Erwin, Tennessee is amongst the list of cities crippled by the effects of Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee. Photos and videos of the area taken before and after rising and swift floodwaters infiltrated this small town showcase the community's devastation The resulting images along with news of the floods pushed Erwin into the spotlight in the last week.

The damage Hurricane Helene left behind will be felt for weeks and months to come. One of the hardest hit areas is East Tennessee. Catastrophic flooding has swallowed buildings and damaged countless roads and bridges.

After hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane late last week, Helene tore through the Southeast, leaving scores of people dead and millions without power as it unleashed historic rain and flooding.

At least 5 people have died in Eastern Tennessee from the floods that swept away homes and roads. Officials expect it to rise through the week.