Flooding forces closure of Georgia and Tennessee cities

Catastrophic flooding has led to the closure of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, as officials ordered residents to evacuate and stay out of the affected areas. The Ocoee River, which has reached a record level of 18.05 feet, is the primary cause of the crisis.

The river previously hit 17.8 feet on February 16, 1990, and typically remains around 2.5 feet on normal days. The rapid rise in water levels has created dangerous conditions, prompting officials to close both cities and issue evacuation orders.

McCaysville has declared a state of emergency, with Police Chief Michael Earley urging residents to avoid entering the city and to not bypass barricades. Streets in Copperhill were flooded shortly after 2 a.m., and bridges to the city remain closed.

Despite the rising water, the Ocoee River has started to recede, dropping below 10 feet by 11:30 a.m. and expected to fall below flood stage in the afternoon. However, the flood has caused significant damage to infrastructure, with government buildings, shops, and homes lost in the area.

At least 30 to 40 rescues have been conducted, including people rescued from rooftops and a 90-year-old woman stranded on her kitchen table. A firefighter was injured but is expected to recover. Emergency teams continue to search for more people and clear debris from flooded areas.

A Blackhawk helicopter is assisting in rescue efforts, with parts of the city still inaccessible. Water and power systems, as well as cell phone communications, are down in McCaysville, and a boil water advisory has been issued for the city.