# Record Flooding Hits Georgia-Tennessee Border Towns Severe thunderstorms caused the Toccoa River to submerge buildings and force emergency rescues. - **Source:** [Clarín](https://www.clarin.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3d2dfba9-114b-4a52-bffc-a091bcd4c4fd ## Record Flooding Event Severe thunderstorms caused record-breaking flooding in the twin towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. The Toccoa River reached a historic level of 5.5 meters on Thursday morning, exceeding the catastrophic threshold by 0.6 meters. Emergency crews conducted over 30 rescues as water levels submerged buildings up to their rooftops. ## Intense Rainfall Data Between 20 and 25 centimeters of rain fell overnight in the northern Georgia region, specifically between Blue Ridge and Ellijay. This massive volume of water overwhelmed local streams, causing rapid runoff that surged into the Toccoa River. The Tennessee Valley Authority managed water levels at three hydroelectric dams to mitigate downstream impact. ## Emergency Response Efforts Local authorities utilized motorized rafts and boats to navigate turbulent downtown streets for rescue operations. While officials reported approximately 20 to 30 people rescued throughout the night, no injuries or fatalities were confirmed. Emergency management teams transitioned to aerial reconnaissance using helicopters and drones to identify any remaining individuals in need. ## Infrastructure and Utilities The flooding forced the closure of the McCaysville water treatment plant, prompting city leaders to issue an immediate boil water advisory for residents. Several commercial buildings in the downtown district were submerged under 1.8 to 2.1 meters of water. Police Chief Michael Earley reported that even patrol vehicles were swept away. ## Persistent Danger Warning Emergency agencies cautioned residents against a false sense of security despite the cessation of rainfall. Officials emphasized that floodwaters remain extremely dangerous and conditions can continue to deteriorate even after the rain stops. Authorities instructed citizens to seek refuge in city halls while the water levels slowly began to recede. ## Historical Context The downtown area of McCaysville previously experienced significant flooding in August. During that earlier event, the police department, post office, and various local businesses sustained damage. While the current disaster was attributed to river overflow, the August incident was linked to drainage issues caused by construction work on a nearby state highway. ## Regional Hydrological Impact The Toccoa River flows into the Ocoee River, where the Tennessee Valley Authority closely monitored the situation due to high discharge rates. The geography of the mountainous region exacerbated the flash flooding, as water channeled quickly into the narrow river valley. This created life-threatening conditions for the small populations of both towns. ## Current Situation Assessment As of late Thursday morning, water levels began to drop, leading to a reduction in emergency calls for stranded individuals. The focus has shifted toward damage assessment and ensuring public safety as the community deals with the aftermath. Authorities continue to monitor the riverbanks for potential hazards left by the receding floodwaters. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.clarin.com/estados-unidos/fuertes-lluvias-causan-graves-inundaciones-en-la-frontera-entre-georgia-y-tennessee_0_ECs0pOvoGy.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._