# Catastrophic Flash-Flood Emergency Prompts Rescues in North Georgia

At least 57 people were rescued in Georgia and 68 rescues were coordinated in Tennessee after record flooding inundated McCaysville and Copperhill.

By Will Langan | 24X7 News
Published: 2026-11-05T13:03:26.138Z
Updated: 2026-11-05T20:00:12.492Z
Section: U.S.
Format: News
Canonical: https://24x7news.us/articles/mccaysville-georgia-flash-flood-emergency-november-5-2026

Update — November 5, 2:30 p.m. Eastern: Emergency agencies reported at least 57 swift-water rescues in Georgia and 68 coordinated rescues in Tennessee after record flooding struck McCaysville and Copperhill, the Associated Press reported. The Toccoa River reached about 18 feet, roughly 2 feet above the level forecasters consider catastrophic. One firefighter suffered a minor injury, and several residents were treated for suspected hypothermia and shock. Power and cellphone outages complicated the response, while flooding shut down McCaysville’s water-treatment plant and left a boil-water advisory in effect. Floodwater was receding, but officials continued warning that flooded areas remained dangerous.

Update — November 5, 12:05 p.m. Eastern: McCaysville police said at least 45 people had been rescued as swift-water teams continued working in the flooded city, FOX Weather reported. One firefighter suffered a non-life-threatening injury when a propane tank caught fire and exploded outside a business, and Fannin County officials said six buildings caught fire during the storms. Across the state line, the Tennessee National Guard said aerial rescue operations were underway in Polk County at the request of state emergency officials. Tennessee authorities expected flooding to remain through Thursday evening and continued urging people to avoid flooded roads. No deaths had been reported as of this update.

Update — November 5, 11:05 a.m. Eastern: Floodwater began receding late Thursday morning after the Toccoa River reached a record crest of about 18 feet, but officials continued warning that conditions remained dangerous. Fannin County emergency spokesperson Robert Poole told the Associated Press that rescue calls had slowed and crews were considering a helicopter and drones to survey for anyone still needing help. No injuries or deaths had been reported as of this update. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the river was slowly lowering after reaching 18.05 feet and that state aviation and boat assets were supporting the response. McCaysville remained under a state of emergency and a boil-water advisory.

Update — November 5, 10:05 a.m. Eastern: The National Weather Service extended the flash-flood emergency for McCaysville until 11 a.m. after emergency managers reported significant flooding in and around the city. The agency said no additional rain was expected, but warned that life-threatening impacts would continue. McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said more than 30 rescues were completed overnight, while Fannin County emergency officials said numerous residents remained stranded, including in places crews could not safely reach. Officials had not reported a confirmed injury total.

A flash-flood emergency remained in effect Thursday morning for McCaysville in north-central Fannin County, Georgia, as officials warned of catastrophic flooding and emergency crews carried out rescues and evacuations.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City initially extended the warning at 6:39 a.m. Eastern time until 9 a.m. It said radar and automated gauges showed 3 to 5 inches of rain had fallen and that flooding was already occurring. The agency said no additional rainfall was expected, but flooding impacts would continue, and urged people in the affected area to move to higher ground immediately.

Fannin County emergency managers said swift-water rescue teams were helping residents from homes and vehicles, while the county’s emergency operations center coordinated the response. WSB-TV reported that about 10 people had been rescued at an earlier point in the response and that an emergency shelter was opened at the Fannin County Recreation Center, 370 Tom Boyd Road in Blue Ridge. Officials asked people who were already in safe locations to shelter in place and avoid unnecessary travel.

Georgia 511 reported that both directions of State Route 5 at West Tennessee Avenue in Fannin County were blocked by flooding, with emergency responders at the scene. McCaysville police also urged drivers to avoid flooded areas and obey road closures as crews worked to reach people in need.

FOX 5 Atlanta reported evacuations in McCaysville and flooding in Blue Ridge after more than 5 inches of rain fell in parts of Fannin and Gilmer counties. Mudslides were complicating some rescue efforts, the station reported.

The Weather Service described the McCaysville emergency as a “particularly dangerous situation.” People should not drive or walk into floodwater and should use the shelter only if they can reach it safely. Road conditions may change quickly; residents should follow local emergency officials, the National Weather Service and Georgia 511 for the latest instructions.

Sources:
- [National Weather Service flash-flood warning](https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Flash+Flood+Warning)
- [Georgia 511 active alerts](https://511ga.org/List/Alerts)
- [WSB-TV: Water rescues underway in Fannin County](https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/widespread-flooding-water-rescues-underway-north-georgia-county/XQ7CEK4CFFEVJALYUJMTUAG7WY/)
- [FOX 5 Atlanta: Flash flooding triggers evacuations](https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/flash-flooding-triggers-evacuations-north-georgia)
- [Associated Press: Heavy rains cause record flooding and rescues](https://apnews.com/article/6e0a283ff54238cba9677602f5e0878e)
- [Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Floods cause major damage in North Georgia](https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/11/heavy-rain-in-north-georgia-prompts-evacuations-state-of-emergency/)
- [FOX Weather: At least 45 rescued along Georgia-Tennessee border](https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/water-rescues-flash-flood-emergency-georgia-tennessee-border-river-record)
- [WSMV: Tennessee National Guard aerial rescues underway](https://www.wsmv.com/2026/11/05/aerial-rescues-underway-due-flash-flooding-southeast-tennessee-heres-what-we-know/)

## Sources
- National Weather Service flash-flood warning: https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Flash+Flood+Warning
- Georgia 511 active alerts: https://511ga.org/List/Alerts
- WSB-TV: Water rescues underway in Fannin County: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/widespread-flooding-water-rescues-underway-north-georgia-county/XQ7CEK4CFFEVJALYUJMTUAG7WY/
- FOX 5 Atlanta: Flash flooding triggers evacuations: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/flash-flooding-triggers-evacuations-north-georgia
- Associated Press: Heavy rains cause record flooding and rescues: https://apnews.com/article/6e0a283ff54238cba9677602f5e0878e
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Floods cause major damage in North Georgia: https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/11/heavy-rain-in-north-georgia-prompts-evacuations-state-of-emergency/
- FOX Weather: At least 45 rescued along Georgia-Tennessee border: https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/water-rescues-flash-flood-emergency-georgia-tennessee-border-river-record
- WSMV: Tennessee National Guard aerial rescues underway: https://www.wsmv.com/2026/11/05/aerial-rescues-underway-due-flash-flooding-southeast-tennessee-heres-what-we-know/
- The Guardian: Heavy rains bring flash flooding to Georgia-Tennessee border: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/05/heavy-rains-flash-flooding-georgia-tennessee