McCaysville residents recall frightening flash flood, rescue: “I thought, ‘Oh my Lord’”

People who had to be evacuated by boat during a massive flash flood say it was frightening and heart-pounding trying to get to safety.

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It happened in McCaysville after the Toccoa River spilled its banks and sent water rushing through the area, damaging homes and businesses.

The owner of McCaysville Gun and Drug store showed Channel 2’s Tom Jones all the destruction inside his business.

Hugh Rogers said the water damaged just about everything, knocking over shelves and sending debris and mud everywhere, “Pretty much moved or destroyed everything in its path just about.”

Meanwhile, people who had to be rescued by boat are recalling the frightening moments after several feet of water left their homes partially submerged.

“Well, when we got out, it was about right here to me,” Brenda Oneal explained, pointing to her chest.

She says she woke up to water rushing everywhere. “I thought, ‘Oh my Lord,’” Oneal said.

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She had no idea how she was going to get out. Then help arrived.

“We had rescue boats to come and pick us up,” Oneal said.

McCaysville police say some 57 people had to be water rescued in Fannin County, including a little girl who got a high five from a firefighter after he brought her to safety.

Emergency crews went door to door looking for those stranded.

Oneal says people in McCaysville are used to dealing with massive floods. But she said this is too much.

“We just had got it cleaned up about two months ago where it flooded before. And now this again,” Oneal said.

The city’s water system is out because of the flooding. There is a boil water advisory, and crews will be coming around passing out bottled water to those who need it.

There are no serious injuries as a result of the flash flooding

Police have implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the entire downtown McCaysville Business District, East and West Tennessee residential properties and Toccoa Avenue residential properties.

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