A total of eleven people and four pets had to be rescued from the Island Subdivision in the Farrell Community just north of Cedar Bluff after high flood waters flooded the campers in the campground earlier this afternoon.

One rescue worker reported that the water was chest high and very frigid as he pulled people individuals to safety.

At this time Cherokee County EMA Officials are asking everyone that lives in flood prone areas near the lake to find a safe place to stay until the lake level recedes.

Because of this week’s heavy rains, Alabama Power has opened spillway gates at its Coosa and Tallapoosa river dams to help manage rising lake levels.

Two storage reservoirs on the Coosa – Weiss Lake and Lake Logan Martin – and two storage reservoirs on the Tallapoosa – Harris Lake and Lake Martin – are above normal levels for this time of year and are expected to continue to rise in the near term.

Spillway gates are operating at Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay, Mitchell and Jordan dams on the Coosa as well as Yates and Thurlow dams on the Tallapoosa.

Alabama Power will continue to closely monitor conditions on the lakes and manage resources carefully. Individuals with boats and other water-related equipment and facilities should always be alert to changing conditions on Alabama Power reservoirs and be prepared to take the necessary steps to protect their property.

For details about Alabama Power lakes, visit apcshorlines.com or add the free Alabama Power Shorelines app to your mobile device.

To view specific lake advisories, click on the lake name and then click the circular information icon. You can also call Alabama Power’s automated Reservoir Information Line at 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711).

Stay with WEIS as we will be closely monitoring the situation.