Residents in McCaysville, Georgia, have begun clearing mud and waterlogged debris from their homes and businesses after the Toccoa River surged 16ft in 12 hours, inundating the town centre and prompting more than 80 people to be rescued by boat.
Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency as emergency crews, local officials and volunteers worked to restore essential services in the border community, which lies opposite Copperhill, Tennessee.
The floodwaters overwhelmed McCaysville’s water treatment facility, forcing officials to distribute bottled water while a boil-water advisory remained in place. Technicians were working to restore the municipal supply, but no timetable had been given for unrestricted use of tap water.
State emergency resources were also being deployed to support infrastructure repairs and provide assistance to property owners affected by the flooding. Volunteer groups set up staging areas along the riverfront to help traders remove damaged stock and clean out buildings.
Fannin County schools and the county courthouse were closed on Friday as authorities assessed the damage and continued recovery operations.
The flooding followed heavy rain across the north Georgia mountains and left roads, shops and other buildings submerged. As the water receded, thick mud and debris were exposed across the commercial district.
It was the third major flood to hit the Georgia-Tennessee border community this year. A severe flash flood in August caused extensive damage and led to months of repairs, with some businesses reopening only about a week before the latest river surge.
“This community means a lot to me,” McCaysville police chief Michael Early said. “And we experienced a flash flood three months ago, and we just got back on our feet and some of our buildings were starting to open back up. And people have been actively cleaning up for the past three months. And then we get hit again. Got a long road ahead of us.”
Authorities have not yet published a full estimate of the damage to the town’s commercial district or water treatment plant. They have also not confirmed when the boil-water advisory will be lifted.
