Overnight storms sent flash flooding through the north Georgia mountains, and McCaysville woke up Thursday to a state of emergency. Water reached six to seven feet in parts of downtown, and emergency crews conducted more than 30 rescues by boat, according to McCaysville police Chief Michael Earley. The Toccoa River crested at 17.73 feet Thursday morning, just shy of its record height.
Flash flood warnings covered Chatsworth, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge until 7 a.m., with McCaysville under a flash flood emergency until 9 a.m. Fannin and Gilmer counties canceled school due to widespread damage, and Fannin County Emergency Management says numerous residents still need evacuation — including some in areas crews haven’t been able to reach yet.
Here on the Suncoast, we know a thing or two about water. Between hurricane season, red tide summers, and those fast afternoon storms, readiness is part of Gulf Coast life. If you have family or friends in north Georgia, check in on them today. And if your storm kit has been sitting untouched since last season, take ten minutes and refresh it.
Have you ever been caught in a flash flood? How did you handle it? Share your story in the comments.
