Several GA Residents Rescued After Floods Rise Amid Storms

Fannin County is under an ongoing flash flood emergency after early morning inundation piled up in northwest Georgia on Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp said.

McCaysville was placed under a state of emergency due to the widespread floodwaters, McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said. The north Georgia town is where 19 people had to be rescued after significant drainage issues drove floodwaters that rushed the downtown McCaysville area.

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Search and rescue efforts on Thursday were underway not only in Fannin but also Murray County, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said. No injuries have been reported.

Gilmer County also experienced catastrophic flooding, causing local schools to close, according to the county emergency management agency and school district.

Earley told reporters several people had been rescued after being stranded atop their roofs in McCaysville.

"Effective immediately, the City of McCaysville is completely closed to all unauthorized personnel until further notice," he said.

WAGA-TV reported 30 people had been rescued as of 7:30 a.m. in McCaysville.

"It is heartbreaking to witness our community, our neighboring communities, and our local businesses facing yet another devastating flooding event, especially after the hardships so many have already endured," Earley said.

" ... During times like these, we are reminded that we are more than individual cities and communities. We are one county, and when one of our communities suffers, we all feel that pain. We have faced difficult times before, and through faith, strength, compassion, and unity, we will continue to stand together and help one another through these challenges."

Emergency shelters have opened in Fannin and Gilmer counties, WXIA-TV reported.

Several state and local agencies shared photos depicting homes and businesses underwater.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction in Fannin, where aircraft and drone operations were restricted, according to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. GEMA/HS said the restriction helps first responders safely operate undisrupted.

Though rain was not in the forecast for Fannin, the National Weather Service predicted showers for metro Atlanta between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday.

After the rain clears in the metro, skies will mostly remain clear and sunny through the weekend, according to the forecast.