Michael Otis Earley said Mccaysville, GA closed to unauthorized personnel on Thursday, Nov. 5, after heavy overnight rain sent floodwaters through the city and forced at least 30 rescues from homes by 6 a.m. Thursday. The mayor and City Council of McCaysville declared a state of emergency as crews moved to reach people trapped in houses and vehicles.
Earley on the rescues
Earley, McCaysville Public Safety Director and Police Chief, said crews were getting calls overnight from residents who could not get out. "The water levels began to rise rapidly around some of the low-lying areas along the creeks and rivers, and started getting calls with people unable to get out of their homes, trapped in vehicles," he said.
"So we had to call in swift water rescue teams and start rescuing and evacuating people."
McCaysville access shut down
City access was closed at River Road, Mobile Road, Blue Ridge Drive and Highway 68 from Tennessee, and only authorized public safety and emergency response personnel were allowed in. Earley said, "The mandatory restrictions are necessary to protect lives and ensure emergency responders can work safely."
The closures came as flooding also blocked other parts of the response. A mudslide complicated rescue operations, and a bridge washed out on Bushy Head Road near Boardtown Road in Fannin County. Flooding on Lucius Road made it impassable and trapped residents in their homes.
Flood levels in McCaysville
Earley said water had risen above the rooftops of some homes, with levels near 16 feet. A police cruiser was seen floating down a downtown street, showing how quickly the flooding overtook low-lying areas before crews could reach everyone.
Flooding was also reported in downtown Blue Ridge, and a flash flood emergency was issued just across the Tennessee state line near McCaysville and Ducktown. The closures and rescue work remained in place as crews continued to move through flooded streets and reach residents in McCaysville.
