Florence's Rains Are Kicking Hydroelectric Dams Into Overdrive
- Tennessee Valley Authority, Duke Energy have increased output
- One dam opened floodgates that haven’t been used since 1994
A home stands in a flooded neighborhood after Hurricane Florence hit in Castle Hayne, North Carolina, on Sept. 16.
Photographer: Alex Wroblewski/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Florence’s driving rains are forcing hydroelectric dam operators to run generators at full tilt and open flood gates that haven’t been used in more than 20 years.
The Tennessee Valley Authority -- which operates dams in Tennessee, Georgia and other states -- began increasing output last week to make room in reservoirs. Duke Energy Corp. has been doing the same in North and South Carolina.