Dozens rescued from flash flooding in tourist towns on Tennessee-Georgia border

Thunderstorms caused record flooding overnight in twin towns straddling the Georgia-Tennessee border, submerging some buildings to their rooflines on Thursday as emergency responders rescued dozens of people.

With floodwaters receding by afternoon, residents returned to find piles of debris and the contents of businesses scattered or ruined.

The storms dropped heavy rain across a mountainous area that drains into the Toccoa River between McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, causing life-threatening flooding on both sides. The Toccoa then flows into the Ocoee River, where the Tennessee Valley Authority was managing high water levels at three of its hydroelectric dams.

As much as 8 to 10 inches fell overnight between the north Georgia towns of Blue Ridge and Ellijay, and runoff from uncontrolled streams swelled the rivers below, according to the TVA.

The Toccoa River reached a record high Thursday morning of 18 feet, which is 2 feet above the level forecasters consider “catastrophic.” 

Some buildings were submerged to their rooflines early Thursday as rescue crews in red boats and motorized rafts navigated through the deep, rushing water flowing over downtown streets. Emergency personnel also went house to house and searched overhead with a helicopter and drones for anyone needing to be evacuated.

At least 57 people were rescued by swift water teams before the floodwaters began to recede, according to the Fannin County Emergency Management Agency in Georgia, which warned people that flooded areas remain dangerous well after the rain stops. The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority said it had coordinated 68 rescues by swift water teams.

By Thursday afternoon the river had settled well into its banks again.

The adjoining towns are a quaint destination for scenic railroad rides — the Blue Ridge Railway on the Georgia side and the Copperhill Special in Tennessee. Both treat tourists to river and mountain views before stopping to sample the restaurants and shops.


(Photo: Tracy Trumbull/Local 3 News via AP)