McCaysville continues to clean up after catastrophic flooding

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A day after destructive flooding hit McCaysville in far north Georgia, residents are left to start picking up the pieces on Friday. Debris is strewn across downtown McCaysville, which is right next to the Toccoa River. On Thursday, the river reached a record of more than 18 feet, flooding businesses and forcing residents onto their roofs. Overall, swiftwater teams rescued more than 80 people, according to officials. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mandatory curfew in place after more than 80 rescued from flooding in Fannin County Schools in Fannin County remain closed on Friday. A mandatory curfew is in place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties. The McCaysville Water System is also out of service, and the area is under a boil water advisory. The city said it will start distributing water at the building behind McCaysville City Hall from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday. While the floodwaters have receded, the damage will likely take months to years to repair. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed. Cars were washed away. Restaurants and grocery stores were left nearly unrecognizable, and residents’ belongings were swept away. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Floodwaters damage downtown McCaysville businesses, including family-owned grocery store The National Weather Service is calling the event a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall, followed by flooding. The city was already recovering from a previous bout of flooding in August, which shut down the police and post office buildings. The newly renovated police department reopened, only to be flooded again. This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.