ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Emergency personnel have carried out dozens of rescues across Fannin County after heavy rain and flooding hit the region overnight, according to officials.

McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said the water in some downtown areas was 6 to 7 feet high. The city was under a flash flood emergency until 11 a.m.

MORE COVERAGE: Heavy rains trigger flash flooding across North Georgia

According to Earley, the water rose over the roofs of some homes in the area, and rescue boats had trouble navigating the rushing water. Copperhill City Hall, McCaysville City Hall and the Fannin County Recreation Department are open as shelters.

McCaysville also suffered severe flooding in August, which triggered a boil water advisory and closed the local police department and U.S. Post Office buildings. Pictures from the scene show that the police department is once again flooded.

Fannin County officials said as of 4:40 p.m., more than 80 people were rescued across the county.

LIVE UPDATES:

5:11 p.m. | A mandatory curfew will be in place for McCaysville from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5:07 p.m. | Fannin County Schools has canceled classes for Friday.

4:36 p.m. | More than 80 people were rescued from floodwaters in Fannin County.

3:58 p.m. | Gilmer County Schools says it will operate on a regular schedule Friday.

2:30 p.m. | The city said it will start distributing water on Friday beginning at 9 a.m. You can pick up water at the building behind McCaysville City Hall until 5 p.m.

The McCaysville Water System is currently down, and the area is under a boil water advisory.

“Unfortunately, the restoration process could be lengthy, and we ask our citizens to remain patient as we work through these unprecedented challenges,” the city said.

2:15 p.m. | Gov. Kemp has signed a state of emergency for severe flooding in Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties. The order frees up state resources to support rescue and cleanup efforts and prohibits price gouging.

It expires on Nov. 12 at 11:59 p.m., unless Kemp decides to extend it.

Read the order:

1:20 p.m. | Restaurants are among the dozens of buildings decimated by the flood in McCaysville.

Atlanta News First spoke with a woman and her daughter who co-own Mexico Loco. Every piece of furniture in the restaurant has been overturned, and food stores litter the ground.

The two said the business has been around for almost eight years.

“It’s very sad seeing all your hard work, all your dedication put into something, gone to a waste like that,” the daughter said.

But despite the destruction, the two haven’t given up hope.

“God’s going to give something else for us,” her mother said.

Next door is The Gopper Grill, which a man said is owned by his girlfriend’s brother.

“They’ve worked heart and soul to get it going, and it was doing really good, and tragedy struck,” he said.

He added that the community is tight-knit and will help each other recover.

1:05 p.m. | At the Fannin County Recreation Department shelter, evacuees say they heard rescue crews banging on their doors early in the morning.

One woman who lives in an apartment complex just over the Tennessee border said she had to retreat to the second floor to avoid the rising floodwater.

“We have nothing left. Even the car’s floated away,” she said. “...We have to start over.”

12:38 p.m. | The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which starts in Blue Ridge and stops in McCaysville and Copperhill, has canceled all departures through Sunday, Nov. 8. The rail bikes have also been canceled on Thursday and Friday.

“McCaysville and Copperhill are more than just destinations along our railway. They are part of our railway family, and our hearts are with the residents, businesses and first responders facing this devastating flooding,” officials said in a statement.

12:34 p.m. | A Noah’s Ark playset made quite the journey in McCaysville overnight, washing up close to the river.

12:20 p.m. | The Red Cross is now helping displaced residents at the Fannin County Recreation Department shelter.

12:18 p.m. | About 57 people were rescued by swiftwater teams overnight, according to the Fannin County Emergency Agency. Overall, 13 teams, using 9 boats, were deployed to help.

The agency added that floodwaters are starting to recede, but still urged caution.

“Some roads may remain flooded, damaged, or unsafe to travel,” the statement said. “Please avoid unnecessary travel and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.”

11:55 a.m. | The Toccoa River is receding much faster than expected. As of around noon, it’s down to 9.87 feet.

11:15 a.m. | A flood warning has been reissued in Fannin County until 2:15 p.m.

11 a.m. | In another update, Earley said the city saw an estimated 6 to 7 inches of rain overnight. Rescue crews are still going door-to-door, but there are some parts of the city they can’t reach yet.

The city also can’t access its garage, which houses dump trucks, tractors and other cleanup equipment, Earley said.

“August was nothing compared to this,” he said of the flooding earlier this year.

Watch the news conference:

According to the police chief, no serious injuries have been reported. The person seen on a gurney after the propane tank exploded was a firefighter, and she is expected to recover.

Other people have been hospitalized with suspected hyperthermia and shock.

10:45 a.m. | A helicopter can be seen flying over McCaysville, looking for people in need of rescue. A temporary flight restriction has been placed over the area until at least 7 p.m.

10:05 a.m. | Someone who appears to be an emergency responder has been wheeled away on a gurney. She was alert and sitting up.

10 a.m. | Atlanta News First teams at the scene heard the propane tank that’s been on fire for hours explode. First responders ran to the area, and ambulances are on their way.

9:30 a.m. | About 736 people around McCaysville don’t have power.

9 a.m. | In a social media post, Gov. Brian Kemp said the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is leading a multi-agency response in northwest Georgia, complete with boats, aviation support and help from Tennessee first responders.

“This is an ongoing flash flood emergency, and if you are in the impacted area, seek higher ground and listen to your local emergency officials,” he said.

8:59 a.m. | McCaysville’s flash flood emergency has been extended until 11 a.m.

8:55 a.m. | The McCaysville Water System is on a boil water advisory “until further notice,” according to the county’s emergency management agency.

8:33 a.m. | A propane tank has caught on fire in McCaysville, Earley said. Crews are working to extinguish the flames.

According to Earley, the water has come down about 3 feet in the past hour. Emergency personnel will have to clear all the homes in the city to ensure nobody is inside.

See full news conference:

Some people still need to be rescued from the roofs of their homes. Drones and helicopters are on the way to help, Earley said. School buses are taking the rescued people to the Fannin County Recreation Center shelter.

7:07 a.m. | Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration puts the river’s height at 18.05 feet, past its previous record of 17.8 feet set on Feb. 16, 1990. Earley said a police car was caught in the rush and is floating down the river.

6:10 a.m. | Schools in Fannin and Gilmer counties were canceled on Thursday, and the Fannin County Emergency Management Agency is telling residents to stay off the roads.

“We still have numerous residents who need to be evacuated, including some in areas that emergency crews are currently unable to access or reach due to flooding and dangerous conditions,” the agency said.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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