Local
McCaysville Lifts Curfew a Week After Devastating Floods, but Boil Water Advisory Remains
McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley lifted the curfew imposed after Nov. 5 floods that prompted more than 90 water rescues in Fannin County. Blue Ridge Drive into Tennessee reopened Thursday evening, but a boil water advisory persists as crews repair the city's water system.
McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley announced Thursday that the curfew imposed after devastating floods has been lifted, exactly one week after the disaster struck the north Georgia town and surrounding Fannin County.
The curfew had been in place since Nov. 5, the day floodwaters tore through McCaysville, prompting more than 90 water rescues across the county and damaging hundreds of buildings. While the restriction has been removed, Earley said officers will maintain a visible presence to protect property.
"Our police officers will continue actively patrolling our neighborhoods, residential areas, and business district to protect the property of those affected by this disaster," Earley said. "Anyone found engaging in criminal activity will be dealt with accordingly."
The chief also urged residents and visitors to show compassion for those whose lives have been upended.
"We also ask everyone to be respectful and considerate of the business owners who have lost their livelihoods and the residents who have lost their homes," he said. "Many families and businesses are facing unimaginable hardships, and they deserve our compassion, understanding, and respect."
In addition to the curfew lifting, Blue Ridge Drive into Tennessee reopened Thursday at 6 p.m., restoring a key connection between the Georgia town and its neighbors across the state line.
However, a boil water advisory remains in effect as crews work to repair McCaysville's water system and restore service. The city's water supply had been depleted in the days after the flood, and officials have been distributing emergency water and supplies to residents in McCaysville and nearby Copperhill.
The flooding has been catastrophic for the small mountain community. Hundreds of buildings were assessed for damage, and local businessesâincluding a bookstore whose owner is uncertain about reopeningâare beginning the long process of cleanup and recovery. Fannin County schools held virtual classes in the days following the disaster as the water crisis persisted.
The lifting of the curfew marks a tentative first step toward normalcy, but with the boil water advisory still in place and many residents displaced, the recovery is far from over. Emergency resources remain available for those affected, and community volunteers have been delivering water and supplies to those in need.
For now, McCaysville residents are left to navigate the slow work of rebuildingâand to look out for one another in the aftermath of a flood that has reshaped their town.