UPDATE #2. POSTED 5:30 A.M. MONDAY:
Outside help reports rescuing 19 people early Sunday from the devastating flooding that struck McCaysville following torrential rains that amounted to several inches during a short period of time.
The Hiawassee Fire Department responded to a call for assistance about 2:30 a.m. and activated its Swift Water Rescue Team. “We arrived to downtown McCaysville GA to a disaster zone,” a social media posting says.
Several vacation rental homes were checked and found to be filled with vacationers who were not subscribed to local notification services and had no clue what was occurring around them.
“All water teams redeployed to this area and began the process of making contact. 13 individuals were safely removed from flooded homes and transported to Copper Basin Station 1 for shelter. Wolf Creek Fire Department assisted with this transport as well as using their UTV to further scout the area for more flooding. All told, at least 19 victims were safely evacuated with no injuries to victims or rescuers.”
UPDATE. POSTED 8:00 P.M. SUNDAY:
Though floodwaters in McCaysville in Fannin County had receded by nightfall Sunday, the northeast Georgia town was still under a boil water advisory. Police Chief/Public Safety Director Michael Early tells ANF-TV the water problem is linked to a water main break. He says recent construction made drainage problems worse. The good news – nobody hurt and cleanup is underway. But some homes and businesses have significant damage.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED 9:00 A.M. SUNDAY:
A flood and water emergency has been declared in McCaysville, prompting city officials to urge everyone to stay off the streets and all customers on the city’s water system to stop using water unless absolutely necessary.
They say severe flooding left the water treatment plant without power for an extended period, causing a significant loss of treated water. “Major leaks from the flooding cannot be contained, and the system will remain unstable until full power is restored,” Police Chief/Public Safety Director Michael Earley said.
Residents are asked to avoid all non‑essential water use to help preserve the remaining supply and allow crews to stabilize operations.
McCaysville is in an area where a Flood Warning has been in effect since about midnight. (See separate story.)