McCaysville begins cleanup after devastating floods force rescues – FOX 5 Atlanta

McCaysville begins cleanup after devastating floods force rescues  FOX 5 Atlanta

Exhausted residents along the Toccoa River are sweeping out mud and hauling away soaked debris after devastating floodwaters submerged downtown McCaysville. Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for McCaysville after the Toccoa River surged 16 feet in 12 hours, leaving the downtown core inundated and forcing crews to rescue more than 80 residents by boat. MCCAYSVILLE, Ga. – Exhausted residents along the Toccoa River are sweeping out mud and hauling away soaked debris after devastating floodwaters submerged downtown McCaysville. Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency to deliver relief to the battered border community as local crews and volunteers mobilize to restore essential services. Officials are distributing bottled drinking water across the community after floodwaters inundated the local water treatment facility.

A boil water advisory remains in effect while technicians work to bring the municipal system back online. State emergency resources are deploying to assist town leadership with long-term infrastructure repairs and direct aid for affected properties. Local organizers are coordinating volunteer staging sites along the riverfront to help merchants clear damaged buildings. All Fannin County schools and the Fannin County courthouse will be closed on Friday. Thursday's deluge marks the third major flood disaster to hit the Georgia-Tennessee border town this year. A severe flash flood damaged the district in August, requiring three months of continuous