McCaysville Closed With Nightly Curfew as Fannin County Rescues Pass 80 After Record Border Flood

Since storms stalled over the Georgia-Tennessee line late Wednesday and flooded McCaysville and Copperhill on Thursday, Nov. 5, the response has shifted from rescue to lockdown and cleanup.

More than 80 people have now been rescued in Fannin County, Georgia, up from an initial count of 57 from the county's emergency management agency. The agency said 13 swift-water rescue teams were deployed.

Tennessee keeps its own tally. The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority said the Tennessee Highway Patrol and National Guard have conducted 68 rescues. Those figures come from separate agencies, so they should not be assumed to be additive.

McCaysville shuts down

McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley declared a state of emergency in the town and said it would close until further notice. In a later update he announced a mandatory daily curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., also until further notice.

Earley said the measures are meant to protect public safety, safeguard damaged property, prevent unauthorized access, and let emergency and recovery crews work safely.

The town of roughly 1,000 people also has a boil water advisory, issued by the Fannin County emergency agency.

Earley described the scene Thursday: "It's over the rooftops in several different areas. Right here in our downtown business district it's about 6-7 feet high." He also said one of his police cars had floated away. "I've never seen flooding like this in my life," he said.

Emergency declarations

Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon for four Georgia counties: Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union. Kemp said the declaration would "ensure all necessary resources are available to assist these communities."

On the Tennessee side, Polk County also declared a state of emergency. The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority said the state emergency operations center in Nashville remained activated at Level 4 to support the flash flood response.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said floodwaters have receded in northwest Georgia and most structures have been cleared. It told residents to keep following local emergency officials.

How much rain, how high the river

The rainfall totals vary by source. The Associated Press put the overnight total at 3 to 5 inches in the area around McCaysville and Copperhill. The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority said 8 to 10 inches fell across the watershed draining into Polk County. The Weather Channel reported 5 to 11 inches over Fannin and Gilmer counties.

The river gauge at Copperhill recorded a record crest of about 18 feet Thursday morning. The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority put the Ocoee River crest at 18.05 feet, and said it fell below action stage by 11 a.m. That is roughly 2 feet above the level at which forecasters call for a catastrophic flood that tops bridges and cuts off both towns.

Timing made it worse. The storms hit overnight, when many residents were asleep. Fannin County spokesperson Robert Poole said responders were already stretched thin by several structure fires that broke out at once when lightning moved in. County officials told Fox Weather that at least six buildings burned, which they believe lightning caused. A propane tank also caught fire and exploded outside a McCaysville business.

Casualties and what is next

Early Thursday, Poole said a man had called in saying he was swept down a creek in his car and was still trapped. Responders were trying to reach him. Later Thursday, Poole said there were no reported injuries or deaths and the water had begun receding.

Poole said crews planned to use a helicopter and possibly drones for an aerial survey to check for anyone still stranded. The county's emergency agency warned that "floodwaters remain extremely dangerous, and conditions can continue to worsen even after the rain has stopped."

The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning calling the situation "particularly dangerous." Some roads remain flooded and damaged, and authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.

No damage estimate has been released. The curfew and town closure stay in force until Earley lifts them, and the aerial survey will determine whether anyone remains unaccounted for.