Families grapple with catastrophic flash flooding, losing homes and what comes next

Families are trying to figure out how they start to put their lives back together after catastrophic flooding hit their north Georgia community.

A state of emergency has been issued for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties following the flash flood emergency that hit the area Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

The latest look at the damage after floodwaters receded and what’s next for residents, on Channel 2 Action News This Morning from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.

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“This is the foundation of what used to be a house,” Kevin Painter said.

An entire house swept away by the floodwaters. There is nothing left of Joanne Kimber’s Creekside Cabin, where her family spent their vacations for over 30 years.

“A neighbor came up early this morning and told her that she said, I don’t want to tell you, but you know, the house is not there,” said Painter, who is Kimber’s insurance agent.

Painter shared video of the damage with Channel 2’s Ashlyn Webb. He said Kimber and family weren’t at the cabin when floodwaters tore through McCaysville. The raging Toccoa River swamped homes, some up to their rooflines and left businesses in ruins.

With the waters rising so quickly, many struggled to escape. David Padgett managed to carry his 89-year-old mother out of their flooded home.

“It was waist deep in our house. When we left, it was only ankle deep outside the house,” he said.

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Rescue crews made trip after trip and brought dozens of people and pets to safety.

Vernon Tanner lost both his home and his business.

“My business is right over here on the river. It’s ruined. My home down the river,” he said. “These people, we’re homeless. We’re homeless.”

Some of the people who spoke to Webb said they have flood insurance that will help with the rebuilding. But many others she heard from do not.

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