ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Days of torrential rains in North Carolina culminating with tropical downpours from what was Hurricane Helene have led to officials keeping a close eye on a major dam, the closure of two main interstates in the mountains and flooding across the state.

More than a foot of rain has fallen across much of the region in the past several days, setting the stage for an unfolding disaster as Helene moved through as a tropical storm Friday morning.

All roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed because it is too dangerous to travel, the state Department of Transportation said. Interstate 40 was closed near Old Fort west of Asheville, and Interstate 26 was shut down south of Asheville near Hendersonville.

A mudslide also sent at least one lane of I-40 into the swollen Pigeon River at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, closing the the highway in both directions, transportation officials said.

Crews have conducted hundreds of swift-water rescues.

“The priority now is saving lives,” Gov. Roy Cooper said, adding that no one should be on the roads unless they were seeking higher ground.

Officials in Rutherford County were watching Lake Lure Dam because water overtopped it. Evacuation orders were issued Friday morning. 

The high water caused erosion on one side of the dam, state Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Kat Russell said.

The dam is “doing what it’s supposed to do, but the water levels are just too high,” Russell said.

Downstream communities have been made aware of the overtopping but have been told they would have several hours to alert residents about evacuations if needed, Russell said. 

The lake is famous for being the setting for some scenes in the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing.”

Washed-out roads prevented first responders from making it to some calls, according to Ryan Cole, Buncombe County assistant emergency services director. That included a mudslide that involved four homes and left an undetermined number of people unaccounted for.

“This is the most significant natural disaster that anyone of us has ever seen in western North Carolina,” Cole said.

A curfew was imposed in Asheville from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. until further notice, police announced.

Several rivers were above or near record crests, and floodwaters were not expected to recede until at least Monday.

Evacuations also were ordered for parts of Charlotte, Asheville and McDowell and Haywood counties. 

Charlotte officials ordered people on Riverside Drive, along the Catawba River, to evacuate as floodwaters rose.

In Asheville, Buncombe County issued a mandatory evacuation order at 6:30 a.m. for people along the Swannanoa River, starting at the North Fork Reservoir. Water at the reservoir had gone over the spillway, officials said.

"What we are seeing is unlike anyone alive has seen in Buncombe County," Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder told reporters Friday morning. "Our rivers have not yet crested. This emergency will get worse."

Buncombe County also ordered evacuations in Black Mountain.

"Due to flooding of a lake with a dam at Camp Ridgecrest for Girls, a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for 105 Balsam Road from the camp south to Highway 70 in Black Mountain," emergency officials said.

Emergency officials warned that the flooding in Buncombe County will continue after Friday until the rivers crest.

"It’s going to reach above any record levels we’ve ever had," Cole said.

In Biltmore Village, just outside the famous Biltmore mansion, swiftly moving water from the overflowing Swannanoa River reached above the hoods of vehicles.

Officials also reported a mudslide on Tunnel Road in Asheville.

“Do not delay - take action to protect your loved ones. We understand that evacuation can be challenging, but the safety of our residents is our top priority. We urge everyone in the affected areas to take this order seriously and evacuate as soon as possible. If you can’t, emergency personnel will help you,” said Pinder. 

"All residents in the following areas are required to evacuate," the county said. "Individuals between North Fork Road to Old 70, following the Swannanoa River all the way to Biltmore Village should evacuate."

That includes North Fork Road south to Highway 70; Highway 70 west to Old Farm School Road; Old Farm School to Azalea Road; Azalea Road to Swannanoa River Road; and Swannanoa River Road to Biltmore Village.

Haywood County Emergency Services reported flash flooding in Cruso, Clyde, Canton and low-lying areas in Waynesville early Friday morning, along with road closures, water rescues and flooded homes. Those areas saw devastating flooding three years ago during Tropical Storm Fred.

"Floodwaters are extremely dangerous. Getting caught up in floods may result in injury or death. LEAVE NOW. Climb to higher ground. Do not drive through water," emergency workers warned.

A mandatory evacuation was issued for Bungalow Drive off of Garden Creek Road in Marion at 4:30 a.m. Friday.

"Please move to higher ground immediately!" McDowell County EMS posted on Facebook. 

Flooding started in parts of the mountains of western North Carolina Wednesday afternoon. Up to 18 inches of rainfall is expected in some communities. 

Related article: Helene brings potential for catastrophic flooding and tornadoes to North Carolina