Public safety director urges residents to avoid flooded areas as crews evacuate those in need

Flooding is impacting parts of north Georgia, particularly Fannin County. The National Weather Service issued a “catastrophic” flash flood warning on Wednesday night, in effect until later Thursday morning.

An initial flash flood emergency was in effect until 1:30 a.m. and a flash flood warning remains active until 5 a.m. in multiple areas, including Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties.

Early on Thursday morning, the McCaysvile Police Department in Fannin County urged residents and drivers to avoid the Blue Ridge Drive area at the bridge and at the Steel Bridge.

The locations are closed as active flooding continues.

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“Our community is once again experiencing significant flooding, and several downtown businesses and shops have already been impacted by rising floodwaters,” Police Chief and Public Safety Director Michael O. Earley said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this flooding is not limited to the City of McCaysville.”

Earley said multiple parts of Fannin County were affected by the flooding and many residents and families were being displaced from their homes as a result.

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The police chief and safety director said everyone is urged to obey all road closures in effect and urged people not to try walking or driving through floodwaters and to avoid flooded areas as emergency personnel operate to help those in need safely.

“It is heartbreaking to witness our community, our neighboring communities, and our local businesses facing yet another devastating flooding event, especially after the hardships so many have already endured,” Earley said.

More broadly, the chief asked the community to come together in prayer for the City of McCaysville and Fannin County as a whole, particularly for displaced families and residents, those who have already suffered damage from the flooding and the first responders working to protect them.

“During times like these, we are reminded that we are more than individual cities and communities. We are one county, and when one of our communities suffers, we all feel that pain,” Earley said. “We have faced difficult times before, and through faith, strength, compassion, and unity, we will continue to stand together and help one another through these challenges.”

Earley said additional updates will be provided as the situation develops.

With flooding a risk across Fannin County, a Channel 2 Action News viewer shared video of flooding in Mineral Bluff.

The viewer said she had to evacuate her mother and water was “knee-deep” as a neighbor tried to leave, with two creeks nearby filling up with water.

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