Kemp: State ‘actively responding’ to flooding in northwest Georgia

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says state agencies are actively in the mix in northwest Georgia, where flash flooding has led to a local state of emergency and school closures.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is in the affected area, including McCaysville, where flooding was so severe the city is practically under water.

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According to the governor, the Georgia Department of Public Safety and Georgia Department of Natural Resources are using their aviation and boat assets to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

As far as the situation on the ground, assistance for McCaysville isn’t a solo effort for Georgia.

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“Local counties and Tennessee first responders” are also assisting with boots on the ground during the “ongoing flash flood emergency.”

Kemp said that anyone who is in an impacted area should seek higher ground and listen to local emergency officials.

McCaysville is also under a boil water advisory as of about 9 a.m.

Beyond McCaysville, Fannin County said it is experiencing widespread flooding and multiple homes are flooded and even completely surrounded by water.

An emergency shelter was set up at the Fannin County Recreation Center on Tom Boyd Road in Blue Ridge on Thursday morning as agencies responded to the emergency zone.

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