Record Ocoee River Flooding Closes Georgia-Tennessee Towns

Overnight rain of 6 to 9 inches sent the Ocoee River to a record crest of 18.05 feet, flooding the neighboring towns of McCaysville and Copperhill. The river had risen about 14 feet in seven and a half hours. Both communities closed to the public, and bridges connecting them were shut after floodwater covered them.

McCaysville declared an emergency, opened its city hall as a shelter and issued a boil-water advisory. Power, cellphone service and the town’s water plant were reported down. The flooding damaged homes, businesses, government buildings and roads, while emergency crews used a Black Hawk helicopter to check for people needing help. Police Chief Michael Earley said crews had carried out at least 30 to 40 rescues. A firefighter was injured and expected to recover; several other people went to hospital, with no major injuries reported.

In Copperhill, retired residents Tommy and Sandra Edwards escaped their home with their dog after discovering floodwater inside around 2 a.m. Water rose about six feet in the house, ruining belongings and three motorcycles. The couple could not return until levels fell enough to enter. Floodwater also damaged a culvert and left roads coated with mud and debris.

The river began falling during the morning, dropping below 10 feet by 11:30 a.m. and moving into minor flood stage. Emergency crews continued checking neighborhoods as water receded, while residents faced cleanup and efforts to determine what could be salvaged.