Catastrophic flooding hits North Georgia, Tennessee
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The gist
Up to 6 inches of rain triggered catastrophic flash floods in the North Georgia mountains, and at least 30 people were rescued in McCaysville.
The river topped its 1990 record, and officials warn river flooding remains dangerous.
Background
McCaysville is a small Georgia city on the state line with Tennessee, where the river is called the Toccoa in Georgia and the Ocoee in Tennessee; the neighboring Tennessee town is Copperhill. Heavy overnight rain sent rivers and creeks rising fast across the North Georgia mountains, and the National Weather Service issued flash flood emergencies for Fannin and Gilmer counties. The event drew attention because the river crested above its previous record flood from 1990, and because such extreme rainfall is becoming more common as warmer air holds more moisture.
How it unfolded
- Nov 4, 2026 (Wednesday night)Viewer video showed raging floodwaters near a funeral home off Blue Ridge Drive in Fannin County as up to 6 inches of rain triggered a catastrophic flash flood emergency across the North Georgia mountains, prompting water rescues and mudslides.
- Nov 5, 2026 (overnight)A separate flash flood emergency was issued overnight for other parts of Fannin County and for Gilmer County.
- Nov 5, 2026 (early Thursday)Emergency evacuations and swift-water rescues were underway as rivers and creeks rose rapidly, leaving some residents trapped in homes and vehicles; Fannin County emergency management said numerous residents still needed evacuations.
- Nov 5, 2026 (just after 6:00 a.m. ET)The river known as the Ocoee in Tennessee and the Toccoa in Georgia crested just above the previous record flood set in 1990 in McCaysville and Copperhill, above the level that causes a catastrophic flood event, according to the National Weather Service.
- Nov 5, 2026McCaysville's mayor and City Council declared a state of emergency and closed the city to unauthorized personnel, shutting all access points including River Road, Mobile Road, Blue Ridge Drive and Highway 68 from Tennessee; evacuations were ordered on West and East Tennessee Avenue.
- Nov 5, 2026At least 30 people had been rescued in McCaysville and others remained trapped; many evacuees went to a local recreation center, schools in Fannin and Gilmer counties closed, and floodwaters reached above rooftops in some areas.
- Nov 5, 2026Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches were reported across parts of North Georgia, with over 8 inches in isolated spots and up to 6 inches in six hours at multiple gauges, at least a 1-in-200-year rainfall rate; the rain ended but dangerous river flooding remained a threat.
Key terms
- National Weather Service
- A U.S. federal agency that provides weather forecasts, warnings, and other weather information to the public.
- flash flood emergency
- A severe weather alert issued when a sudden, violent flood is imminent or already occurring in an area.
- 1-in-200-year rainfall rate
- A rainfall amount so extreme that it has a 1 in 200 chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- McCaysville police chief Michael Earley urged residents not to delay evacuation, saying crews were actively water-rescuing people with several still trapped in homes as the water kept rising.
- Official
- McCaysville Public Safety Director and Police Chief Michael Otis Earley said the mandatory restrictions are necessary to protect lives and ensure emergency responders can work safely.
- Caution
- Officials urged everyone to stay off the roads and never drive through floodwaters, and said no injuries had been confirmed.
Still unverified
Social media reports claimed two separate dams were in danger of collapse and that a hospital in Erwin, Tennessee was completely underwater with people stranded on the roof; reports also said McCaysville flooded for the second time this year.