Overview
- A sudden, slow-moving storm that struck overnight on Thursday, Nov. 5 dumped exceptionally heavy rain into the mountain watershed and sent the Toccoa/Ocoee rivers to a new record crest of about 18 feet, triggering flash flood emergencies for the two towns.
- More than 100 people were pulled from homes, vehicles, and rooftops by swift-water teams, helicopters and Army Rangers, and mandatory evacuations and curfews were ordered as first responders worked through the night.
- At least one death was confirmed after a vehicle was swept away in Murray County, and several people were treated for hypothermia or minor injuries while multiple buildings and a police station were heavily damaged or lost.
- Floodwaters knocked out McCaysville’s water treatment plant and prompted a boil-water advisory, left downtown streets coated in silt, washed out roads and damaged bridges, and caused propane and structure fires that complicated rescue efforts.
- State and federal agencies including Georgia emergency teams, TVA and Tennessee responders are leading cleanup and damage assessments, with officials warning debris, unstable bridges and damaged utilities will slow recovery and repair for weeks to come.