Record Flooding Hits Copperhill and McCaysville, Community Unites

The Ocoee River has a history of flooding, but the recent deluge that struck the twin towns of Copperhill, Tennessee, and McCaysville, Georgia, was unprecedented. Early Thursday morning, after eight to ten inches of rain fell within hours, the river surged to a record eighteen feet, surpassing the catastrophic flood of 1990 that had long been the benchmark for disaster in the region. By Friday, the waters receded, leaving behind a landscape of mud, ruined furniture, and the daunting task of recovery.

The statistics paint a stark picture of the devastation. In Polk County, officials reported that forty-five homes and forty-two businesses were impacted. Emergency responders conducted sixty-eight rescues in Polk County alone, with an additional seventeen rescues on the Georgia side. In Fannin County, Georgia, approximately one hundred rescues were executed, with ninety-seven occurring in McCaysville. Tragically, while no fatalities were reported in Polk County, a woman lost her life in Murray County when her vehicle was swept away by floodwaters.

For residents, the flood was a deeply personal experience. Ed Sullivan awoke to find his home surrounded by rapidly moving water. Rescuers arrived in a boat, and he was evacuated to safety. Jay Castleberry, who was rescued from his second-story apartment, described the scene from his porch, where he could smell gas and see oil floating on the turbulent waters. Crystal O'Neal, whose family has owned the NAPA Auto Parts store in Copperhill for three decades, faced an estimated $100,000 in damages as six feet of water rushed into her store, carrying away Christmas presents and memories.

The downtown areas of both towns were submerged, with businesses near the river experiencing water levels of three to five feet. Brian Patterson, co-owner of Sweet Emmaline Cheesecakes, described his shop as resembling an aquarium after six and a half feet of water flooded inside. Despite the destruction, community spirit shone through as neighbors and volunteers rallied to help each other, clearing debris and providing support.

The road to recovery will be long and challenging. Boil water advisories are currently in effect for both towns, and McCaysville's water treatment plant has been completely shut down, prompting officials to urge residents to conserve water. The Copperhill post office has temporarily relocated operations to Ducktown, and a mandatory curfew is in place for the downtown area of McCaysville from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Several roads remain closed, including Highway 68 through Copperhill and Blue Ridge Drive. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Fannin County Recreation Department in Blue Ridge, and distribution centers for food, clothing, and cleaning supplies are operational at local churches.

This marks the second time in just three months that the Copper Basin has faced devastating floods. In August, flash floods caused significant damage to the same communities, and just last week, McCaysville's government buildings had reopened. Now, residents are confronted with the daunting task of cleaning up once more, filing insurance claims, and explaining to their children why the water has returned. Chad Smith, owner of Tallant Drug Store, described the aftermath as if a muddy tornado had swept through his pharmacy, which has served the town since 1921.

Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross has urged residents to avoid downtown Copperhill and McCaysville unless they have essential business, allowing cleanup crews to work without obstruction. Volunteers are still needed, but they must register at the Incident Command Center behind McCaysville City Hall. Donations are being collected, and the community is coming together to begin the recovery process. The river has returned to its banks, now three feet above average, and the towns are left to do what they have done before: start anew.

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