Thunderstorms unleashed heavy rainfall overnight Wednesday into Thursday, causing severe flash flooding along the Georgia-Tennessee border and complicating rescue efforts.
In McCaysville, Georgia, a town of about 1,000 residents, and its neighbor Copperhill, Tennessee, with fewer than 500 residents, floodwaters rose rapidly. The National Weather Service reported that McCaysville received 3 to 5 inches of rain, leading to dangerous conditions across both cities separated by the Toccoa River.
McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley stated that over 30 water rescues were performed overnight. He noted that some homes were submerged up to their roofs, and rescue boats struggled to navigate the strong currents. The Fannin County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that swift water rescue teams evacuated residents, but many remained stranded in areas inaccessible to emergency crews due to hazardous conditions.
Authorities warned that the danger persists even after the rain stops, as floodwaters remain extremely dangerous and can continue to rise. Flash flood warnings remained in effect Thursday morning.