North Georgia floods: School closures, impacts for Friday in Fannin County
Floodwaters from the cresting Toccoa River submerge a commercial garage and surrounding roads in Fannin County after historic, record-setting flash flooding swept across North Georgia mountain towns, prompting dozens of water rescues and an executive
FANNIN COUNTY, Ga. - Historic flooding across North Georgia mountain communities has prompted government and school closures for Friday as road crews and emergency responders continue cleanup and damage assessments.
What we know:
Here is the running list of confirmed school schedules, government office closures, and municipal service impacts across the region:
Fannin County
- Fannin County Schools: CLOSED on Friday, Nov. 6.
- Fannin County Courthouse: CLOSED on Friday, Nov. 6.
- City of Blue Ridge: Blue Ridge City Hall will be CLOSED on Friday, Nov. 6.
Gilmer County
- Gilmer County Schools: OPEN and operating on a normal schedule Friday, Nov. 6.
The backstory:
The widespread closures follow catastrophic, record-setting flooding that inundated North Georgia mountain communities late Wednesday and early Thursday morning.
Intense rainfall across steep mountain terrain drained rapidly into the Toccoa-Ocoee River basin, sending torrents of runoff into lower-elevation valleys. The river surged roughly 16 feet in just 12 hours, reaching a record crest near 18 feet and spilling hundreds of yards beyond its banks.
The waters submerged downtown streets, damaged homes and washed out culverts and secondary roadways across Fannin County, including the border towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for Fannin, Gilmer, Union, and Murray counties to mobilize state resources after more than 80 people were rescued from dangerous floodwaters.
While skies cleared by Thursday afternoon, officials shuttered schools and county offices for Friday to keep cars and school buses off compromised rural routes while public works crews evaluate bridges, clear thick mud and silt.
RELATED:
- North Georgia flooding: Waters receding in McCaysville area
- State of emergency declared for 4 mountain counties after floods
- More than 80 rescued after flooding devastates Georgia-Tennessee towns
- How mountain terrain played a role in historic North Georgia flooding
- PHOTOS: Record flooding in North Georgia after storm
What you can do:
Residents who suffered property or structural damage from the floodwaters are urged to submit an online report through the Fannin County EMA self-reporting portal to help state and county officials assess disaster response needs.
Drivers are reminded never to drive around road closure barricades or through standing water.
The Source: nformation in this running guide is confirmed directly by Fannin County Emergency Management Agency, Gilmer County Schools, and the City of Blue Ridge.