McCaysville Closes All City Entrances Amid Severe Flooding
Officials ordered evacuations on two major avenues and deployed swift-water rescue teams after homes were surrounded by rising water.
By Alina Marshall ·
City officials in McCaysville declared a state of emergency and sealed off all entrances to the city early Wednesday morning. The closure took effect at 6:00 a.m. as severe flooding displaced residents and damaged local infrastructure. Only authorized public safety and emergency response personnel may enter the city until further notice.
The decision followed a 4:30 a.m. order requiring all residents on West Tennessee Avenue and East Tennessee Avenue to evacuate immediately. Officials blocked access at River Road, Mobile Road, Blue Ridge Drive, and Highway 68 entering from Tennessee. They instructed drivers not to bypass barricades or interfere with emergency operations.
County emergency managers reported that multiple homes in Fannin County had flooded, with some structures completely surrounded by water. Swift-water rescue teams evacuated residents with assistance from agencies outside the county. Emergency crews also responded to several structure fires that officials believe were caused by lightning strikes.
Michael O. Earley, the McCaysville Public Safety Director and Police Chief, stated that rising water affected several downtown businesses and displaced families across the county. Police closed Blue Ridge Drive at the bridge and the Steel Bridge due to high water. Earley urged residents in safe locations to stay put to conserve emergency resources.
Officials advised residents with blocked evacuation routes to move to higher ground and call 911. They warned people not to walk or drive through floodwaters. An emergency shelter opened at the Fannin County Recreation Center at 370 Tom Boyd Road in Blue Ridge for displaced residents who can travel safely.
The county activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response and allocate additional resources. The city remains under a state of emergency as rescue crews continue to work across Fannin County.
