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At least 80 people were rescued in Georgia’s Fannin County and 68 in Tennessee’s Polk County after torrential rain triggered severe flooding near the state line on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and officials in affected Tennessee communities declared states of emergency as river levels fell and recovery work began.
At least 80 people were rescued in Fannin County, Georgia, and another 68 in Polk County, Tennessee, after torrential rain caused record flooding along the state line on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for four counties, while Tennessee officials and affected cities issued emergency measures as communities began cleanup.
Flash Flood Emergencies were issued for Fannin County, Georgia, and Polk County, Tennessee, early Thursday after intense rainfall sent water into homes, businesses and streets. Officials said some McCaysville, Georgia, neighborhoods were told to evacuate beginning at about 3 a.m.; swift-water teams carried out rescues as flooding spread.
Kemp declared a state of emergency for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties, according to the report. Polk County, Tennessee, also declared an emergency. McCaysville and nearby Copperhill, Tennessee, were among the hardest-hit communities. Both cities urged people to stay away from affected areas while response and cleanup work continued.
Rainfall totals reached 5 to 8 inches in about 12 hours across much of the region. The Toccoa and Ocoee rivers rose into major flood stage. NOAA data cited by FOX Weather showed the Ocoee River at a record crest of 18.05 feet late Thursday morning. Flooding also damaged infrastructure: Polk County’s road department closed Rogers Creek Bridge after a large structure broke from its foundation and struck the bridge.
Flood-related hazards continued alongside water rescues. A propane tank caught fire and later exploded outside a McCaysville business. Police said a firefighter was injured but not seriously. Fannin County officials told FOX Weather that at least six buildings caught fire during storms on Wednesday night, and they believed lightning caused the fires.
Rescues and Damage Across Two States
The flooding affected communities on both sides of the state line, prompting more than 140 reported rescues and emergency declarations in Georgia and Tennessee. The rescues underscore the speed and reach of the flooding: residents in parts of McCaysville were told to leave in the early morning as water surged into homes and businesses.
Record river levels and the closure of Rogers Creek Bridge also point to risks beyond immediate evacuation. Damaged roads and bridges can complicate access for residents, emergency crews and cleanup workers. City officials’ warnings to avoid McCaysville and Copperhill mean people may face restricted access while authorities assess conditions and repair damage.
The incident also involved hazards separate from floodwater, including fires and an exploding propane tank. While one firefighter was reported injured, police said the injury was not serious. The full extent of damage, disruption and any further injuries had not been established in the report.
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A Flood Described as Record-Setting
Fannin County Emergency Management Agency public information officer Robert Poole described the flooding as the worst in the area since 1990. He told FOX Weather, “Nothing to this extent since 1990,” referring to the previous flood of record. That comparison is an official’s description of local history; the report does not provide a full historical data series.
The flooding followed intense rainfall overnight and early Thursday. The reported 5 to 8 inches over roughly 12 hours drove the Toccoa and Ocoee rivers to major flood stage. The Ocoee’s 18.05-foot crest was reported as a record high by NOAA data cited in the coverage.
Response agencies included local swift-water teams, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Georgia State Patrol, whose helicopters were on standby to help with evacuations. Tennessee’s emergency agency told FOX Weather that swift-water and helicopter rescue teams were active during the flooding.
“At least 80 people were rescued in Fannin County.”
— Fannin County officials, as reported to FOX Weather
Damage and Access Still Being Assessed
The available report does not give a complete count of damaged homes, businesses or roads, or a final estimate of repair costs. It also does not establish whether the reported six fires were all caused by lightning; officials said they believed lightning caused them. The number and condition of people affected beyond those rescued, as well as whether anyone else was injured, were not fully detailed.
River levels had crested and much of the floodwater had receded in McCaysville and Copperhill, according to FOX Weather, but the report does not provide later gauge readings or a timeline for reopening closed areas and roads. Officials had asked people to stay away from the affected city areas while cleanup was underway.
Cleanup, Inspections and Reopening
Local officials and emergency crews are expected to continue cleanup, inspect buildings and transportation links, and determine where access can safely resume. Residents should follow directions from county and city authorities, particularly in McCaysville and Copperhill, where officials asked the public to keep away from affected areas.
Further updates are likely to clarify the extent of property and infrastructure damage, the status of Rogers Creek Bridge and whether any emergency restrictions remain in effect. The report does not state when either city will fully reopen or provide a timetable for repairs.
Key Questions
How many people were rescued?
Officials reported that at least 80 people were rescued in Fannin County, Georgia, and at least 68 in Polk County, Tennessee.
Where did the flooding occur?
The flooding hit communities along the Georgia-Tennessee border, including McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, as well as areas of Fannin and Polk counties.
What caused the record flooding?
The report says 5 to 8 inches of rain fell in about 12 hours, sending the Toccoa and Ocoee rivers into major flood stage. The Ocoee reached a reported record crest of 18.05 feet.
Were there injuries or fires?
Police said a firefighter was injured in an incident involving a propane tank that caught fire and later exploded in McCaysville, but the injury was not serious. Fannin County officials said at least six buildings caught fire during storms Wednesday night and believed lightning was responsible.
Are McCaysville and Copperhill open?
Officials asked people to stay away from affected areas as cleanup began. The report does not provide a reopening time for either city or a final status for closed roads and bridges.
Source: foxweather.com
