Flash flooding on Georgia-Tennessee border forces dozens of rescues
Storms dumped up to five inches of rain on McCaysville, Georgia, prompting emergency declarations in four counties and a boil water advisory.
At a glance
- Up to five inches of rain fell on McCaysville, Georgia, by Thursday morning, causing life-threatening flash flooding.
- McCaysville police chief Michael Earley said more than 30 people had been rescued by boat by mid-morning.
- Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared emergencies in four counties, and schools in Fannin and Gilmer counties closed.
Severe storms brought heavy rain and flash flooding to communities along the Georgia-Tennessee border late on Wednesday and into Thursday morning, forcing dozens of rescues as the hazardous conditions made evacuations and rescue efforts difficult.
McCaysville, in north central Georgia, was deluged with up to five inches (13cm) of rain by Thursday morning, triggering life-threatening flash flooding, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. The town lies just across the Toccoa River from Copperhill, Tennessee.
Warning and water rescues
The NWS issued a flash flood warning for the area until mid-morning Thursday, calling it "a particularly dangerous situation" and urging people to seek higher ground immediately. It warned of life-threatening flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, and advised drivers not to attempt flooded roads because most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
McCaysville police chief Michael Earley said more than 30 people had been rescued by boats by mid-morning, adding that water in some areas stood six to seven feet high. He said he had never seen flooding like this in his life, and appealed for anyone willing to help. One local report later in the morning informally put the number of rescues by water above 50.
Robert Poole, a Fannin county emergency management spokesperson, said one rescue effort involved a person trapped in his car. A man had called in to say he was swept away in his vehicle down a creek, Poole said, and communications were then lost. Crews had an address and were trying to reach him safely, he added.
Poole said resources were already stretched thin by several structure fires that broke out around the same time as lightning moved in, and that the water rescues followed as the rain kept falling.
Emergency declarations and closures
Georgia's governor, Brian Kemp, said on X on Thursday afternoon that he had declared official emergencies in four counties, releasing extra public resources. Earlier in the morning he said the state's emergency management agency was leading a multi-agency response using aviation and boat assets, along with local counties and Tennessee first responders.
The emergency management agency warned residents not to let the rain stopping give them a false sense of security, saying floodwaters remain extremely dangerous and conditions can worsen even after the rain ends. It also issued a boil water advisory for McCaysville.
Game wardens with the Georgia department of natural resources are assisting state and local first responders with search-and-rescue operations in Fannin and Murray counties, county officials said. School closures were announced on Thursday for Fannin and Gilmer county students because of hazardous road conditions.
In Copperhill, Tennessee, city officials issued evacuation warnings for some residents at 3am ET on Thursday. The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Source: The Guardian.
Questions and answers
- Where is the flash flooding in Georgia and Tennessee?
- McCaysville, in north central Georgia, was hit hardest, with up to five inches of rain by Thursday morning. The town lies across the Toccoa River from Copperhill, Tennessee, where some residents were told to evacuate.
- How many people were rescued in the Georgia flooding?
- McCaysville police chief Michael Earley said more than 30 people had been rescued by boats by mid-morning, with water six to seven feet high in some areas. One local report later put water rescues above 50.
- Did Georgia declare an emergency over the flooding?
- Governor Brian Kemp said on Thursday afternoon that he had declared official emergencies in four counties, releasing extra public resources. The state emergency management agency led a multi-agency response with boat and aviation assets.
