Widespread flooding, water rescues underway in North Georgia county

Emergency crews are responding to widespread flooding in Fannin County, where multiple homes have flooded, residents are being rescued and several electrical fires have been reported.

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Channel 2 Action News has confirmed there have been multiple water rescues and electrical fires in the county. A Severe Weather Team 2 crew is on the way to the area as the situation continues to develop.

Fannin County Emergency Management says swift water rescue teams are actively working to rescue residents and evacuate people from areas affected by rising water. Some homes are completely surrounded by floodwaters.

Robert Poole from Fannin County Emergency Management estimates about 10 people have been saved with water rescues. He says one man was swept away in his car, unable to get out.

“That amount of rain in that amount of time overwhelmed us rapidly,” he said.

Poole says there were five fires related to the storms which have been able to be put out.

“So yeah,” he said. “It’s been a busy evening.”

Multiple agencies are assisting with the emergency response, and the Fannin County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate resources.

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The county is urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Anyone in a safe location is being asked to shelter in place. Residents whose homes are threatened by rising water should move to higher ground and call 911.

An emergency shelter has opened at the Fannin County Recreation Center, located at 370 Tom Boyd Road in Blue Ridge, for people who have been displaced or need a safe place to stay. Officials say residents should only travel there if they can do so safely.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Flash Flood Warning for Fannin and Gilmer counties to a Considerable threat level, meaning life-threatening flash flooding is imminent.

Rainfall totals are approaching 4 inches, with another 6 inches possible this evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning includes Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties and is in effect until 3 a.m. Thursday.

Officials are asking residents to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters as emergency crews continue responding.

Channel 2 Action News will continue to update this developing story.

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