Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said a multi-agency and multi-state response is underway after torrential rain triggered a Flash Flood Emergency. Rivers and creeks overtopped their banks, causing widespread flooding in the McCaysville, Georgia, Copperhill, Tennessee, communities. FOX 5 Atlanta Reporter Marc Teichner has the latest conditions.
THE TAKEAWAY
Torrential rain triggered Flash Flood Emergencies across Polk County, Tennessee, and Fannin County, Georgia, early Thursday.While the storms have passed, rivers and creeks have overtopped their banks, causing widespread flooding in the McCaysville, Georgia, Copperhill, Tennessee, communities.Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said a multi-agency and multi-state response is underway.
Torrential rain triggered Flash Flood Emergencies across Polk County, Tennessee, and Fannin County, Georgia, along the state line early Thursday after storms fired within the southern end of a massive cross-country storm.
WHAT IS A FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY?
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Flash Flood Emergency in Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5, 2026.
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Flash Flood Emergency in Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5, 2026.
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Flash Flood Emergency in Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5, 2026.
(Georgia Department of Natural Resources/Facebook)
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Flash Flood Emergency in Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5 , 2026.
(Fannin County Emergency Management Agency/Facebook)
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Flash Flood Emergency in Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5 , 2026.
(Fannin County Emergency Management Agency/Facebook)
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Flash Flood Emergency in Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5, 2026.
(Georgia Department of Natural Resources/Facebook)
Police in McCaysville, Georgia, asked people in some neighborhoods to evacuate immediately just before 3 a.m. local time. Fannin County officials said swiftwater rescues were underway amid widespread flooding with water into multiple homes.
The county recreation center is serving as an emergency shelter. The City of McCaysville declared a state of emergency just after 5 a.m.
WHEN IS THE EARLIEST SNOWFALL ON RECORD FOR PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST?
Governor Brian Kemp said a multi-agency and multi-state response is underway.
The state is actively responding to the flooding in NW Georgia. @GeorgiaEMAHS is leading a multi-agency response including @ga_dps and @GaDNRLE, using both aviation and boat assets, as well as local counties and Tennessee first responders. This is an ongoing flash flood emergency, and if you are in the impacted area, seek higher ground and listen to your local emergency officials.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) November 5, 2026
Fannin County officials told FOX Weather that at least 20 people have been rescued by water rescue teams.
The flooding caused a propane tank to catch fire and later explode outside a local business in McCaysville. County officials told FOX Weather at least six buildings caught fire during the storms Wednesday night, which they believe to have been caused by lightning.
A propane tank caught fire in a local business in McCaysville, Georgia as intense flooding slammed the area. A Flash Flood Emergency is in place across the Tennessee-Georgia border.
The Toccoa River in Georgia and the Ocoee River in Tennessee surged into major flood stage, cresting at a new record over 18 feet after 5-8 inches of rain fell across much of the region over just 12 hours.
“Nothing to this extent since 1990,” said Robert Poole, the Public Information Officer for the Fannin County Emergency Management Agency, referring to the area’s previous flood of record.
Georgia State Patrol helicopters were on standby to assist with evacuations, officials said.
Torrential rain triggered Flash Flood Emergencies across Polk County, Tennessee, and Fannin County, Georgia, on Nov. 5, 2026.
The City of Copperhill, Tennessee, said late Wednesday that the city is closed and warned people to stay away from the downtown or any areas along the river.
Polk County schools were closed Thursday.