Flash flood emergencies — the highest level of flood warning — were in effect on Thursday, November 5, 2026, for McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, on the Georgia-Tennessee border.
The Toccoa River in Georgia, which becomes the Ocoee River in Tennessee, crested just above its previous record flood set in 1990, just after 6:00 a.m. ET, reaching a level the National Weather Service describes as a catastrophic flood event.
More than 30 water rescues were carried out in McCaysville overnight, with water rising over the roofs of some homes. Several people remained trapped in homes on Thursday morning and evacuations were under way.
A state of emergency was issued in McCaysville and the city was closed until further notice, according to McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley.
Widespread rainfall of 3 to 6 inches fell across parts of North Georgia overnight, with over 8 inches in isolated spots and up to 6 inches in just six hours — described as at least a 1-in-200-year rainfall.
The rain had ended across North Georgia and southern Tennessee by Thursday morning, with no more downpours expected through the weekend, but dangerous river flooding remained a threat through the day. No deaths or injuries had been confirmed as of Thursday morning.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.