McCaysville Begins Cleanup After Record Flooding

The Toccoa River rose above 18 feet on Thursday, flooding businesses and forcing some residents onto rooftops. Swiftwater crews rescued more than 80 people, and the flood left debris across downtown. Cars were swept away, while homes and businesses suffered extensive damage, including restaurants and grocery stores.

Residents were clearing mud and damaged belongings on Friday. The McCaysville water system was out of service after floodwaters reached its treatment facility. A boil-water advisory remained in effect, and the city planned to distribute bottled water from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a building behind City Hall.

A mandatory curfew was in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Fannin County schools and its courthouse were closed. Gov. Brian Kemp issued an emergency declaration for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties, with state resources set to help with repairs and aid. The National Weather Service described the rainfall and flooding as a 1-in-1,000-year event.

The town was still repairing damage from August flooding, and some businesses had only recently reopened. The latest destruction is expected to take months or years to repair. Officials had not released a total damage estimate, and the timing for lifting the boil-water advisory had not been confirmed.