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Flash flooding triggers evacuations in North Georgia
Heavy overnight rain triggered dangerous flash flooding across parts of North Georgia early Thursday, Nov. 5, forcing evacuations in McCaysville and leaving residents trapped in homes and vehicles. Swift-water rescue teams were deployed, but mudslides complicated efforts to reach stranded residents.
MCCAYSVILLE, Ga. - Emergency evacuations and swift-water rescues were underway early Thursday morning in parts of North Georgia after heavy overnight rainfall caused rivers and creeks to rise rapidly, flooding communities and leaving some residents trapped in their homes and vehicles.
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What we know:
The flooding has been particularly severe in McCaysville in Fannin County, where emergency officials issued an alert ordering residents along the river to evacuate immediately and seek higher ground.
Flooding was also reported in downtown Blue Ridge, while a flash flood emergency was issued just across the Tennessee state line, affecting areas near McCaysville and Ducktown.
McCaysville declares state of emergency, closes city
The mayor and City Council of McCaysville have declared a state of emergency and closed the city to unauthorized personnel until further notice as severe flooding continues to threaten the community.
All access points into the city have been closed, including River Road, Mobile Road, Blue Ridge Drive and Highway 68 from Tennessee. Only authorized public safety and emergency response personnel are permitted to enter.
Officials are urging residents and visitors to stay away, avoid barricades and allow emergency crews to continue rescue operations and assess widespread flooding and damage. McCaysville Public Safety Director and Police Chief Michael Otis Earley said the mandatory restrictions are necessary to protect lives and ensure emergency responders can work safely. The closures will remain in effect until further notice.
Residents trapped as floodwaters rise
Emergency crews began receiving calls overnight from residents unable to escape their homes and motorists trapped in vehicles as water levels rose rapidly in low-lying areas along creeks and rivers.
Swift-water rescue teams were called in to help evacuate residents and reach those stranded by the flooding.
"The water levels began to rise rapidly around some of the low-lying areas along the creeks and rivers, and started getting calls with people unable to get out of their homes, trapped in vehicles," an emergency official said.
"So we had to call in swift water rescue teams and start rescuing and evacuating people."
Mudslides have complicated rescue operations, making it more difficult for emergency crews to reach some of those trapped by rising water.
Officials are urging residents to avoid flooded roads and never attempt to drive through standing or moving floodwaters.
At least 30 rescued as flooding washes out roads and bridges
As of 6 a.m. Thursday, at least 30 people have been rescued from their homes in McCaysville, but emergency crews are still working to reach several others trapped by rising floodwaters.
McCaysville's police chief said water has risen above the rooftops of some homes, with levels reported near 16 feet.
The flooding has been so severe that a police cruiser was seen floating down a downtown street.
Elsewhere in Fannin County, a bridge washed out on Bushy Head Road near Boardtown Road, leaving some residents stranded. A mudslide forced the closure of part of Boardtown Road, while flooding along Lucius Road made it impassable and trapped residents in their homes.
One man who was rescued said deputies initially told him to evacuate on foot, but the water rose so quickly that rescuers had to send a boat to get him, his wife and their pets. Emergency crews from surrounding counties are assisting with the ongoing rescue operations.
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30 water rescues so far in McCaysville area
t least 30 people have been rescued from their homes in McCaysville as devastating flooding continues across North Georgia Thursday morning. Police say floodwaters have reached above rooftops in some areas, with water levels reported near 16 feet. Rescue boats are still working to reach stranded residents, while washed-out bridges and mudslides have left roads impassable. A bridge on Bushy Head Road washed out, a mudslide blocked Boardtown Road, and flooding stranded residents along Lucius Road. McCaysville's police chief said the water was so high that one of his patrol cars floated down a downtown street. FOX 5 Atlanta's Marc Teichner reporting live from the scene.
Fannin County Schools closed
The Fannin County School System has announced that school is canceled for today due to widespread storm damage and dangerous conditions. This means there will be no virtual or in-person school.
Gilmer County Schools closed
Gilmer County schools have announced that their schools will be closed Thursday out of an abundance of caution due to flooding and dangerous road conditions.
What to do if you need help
The Fannin County Emergency Management Agency is advising residents to move to higher ground immediately if they are in danger and to call 911. They are telling residents not to attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters.
Emergency shelter is available at the Fannin County Recreation Center at 370 Tom Boyd Road in Blue Ridge.
More than 6 inches of rain reported in some areas
What we know:
The flooding follows widespread heavy rainfall across the North Georgia mountains, with portions of northern Gilmer and southern Fannin counties receiving more than 5 inches of rain over a 24-hour period. Some locations recorded more than 6 inches.
Much of that rainfall is now draining into the Toccoa River, contributing to rapidly rising water levels downstream near McCaysville and the Tennessee border.
A flash flood emergency was issued for an area just across the state line, where communities near Ducktown were also experiencing dangerous flooding.
The concentration of heavy rainfall across the region has increased the threat of additional flooding as runoff continues moving through local waterways.
Flooding reported in downtown Blue Ridge
Local perspective:
Video captured by Dana Joy Chastain showed flooding in downtown Blue Ridge as heavy rain affected communities throughout Fannin County.
The flooding was not limited to the immediate McCaysville area, with swollen creeks and rivers creating hazardous conditions across portions of the North Georgia mountains.
Emergency crews continued rescue and evacuation operations early Thursday. The number of people rescued or evacuated was not immediately available, and there were no confirmed reports of injuries or deaths in the information provided.
Rain continues across metro Atlanta
What's next:
While the most serious flooding was concentrated in the North Georgia mountains, rain also moved through metro Atlanta early Thursday morning.
Temperatures in downtown Atlanta were around 69 degrees during the morning hours, with additional showers moving through the area.
Some clearing is expected later Thursday, although skies are forecast to remain mostly cloudy at times. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s.
Cooler temperatures are forecast for the remainder of the week.
Residents in flood-prone areas of North Georgia are urged to monitor emergency alerts, follow evacuation instructions and avoid traveling through flooded areas as water continues draining into rivers and streams.