MCCAYSVILLE, Ga. — More than a week after devastating flooding swept through this North Georgia town, officials have lifted a local curfew and reopened key travel routes. But a boil water advisory remains in place, and the damage to homes and downtown businesses is creating a new threat to McCaysville’s tourism-dependent economy.
Governor Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s flood-related state of emergency through November 19 for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties. The order keeps state resources available as communities continue cleanup and repair work following the November 5 flooding.
Water advisory remains in effect
McCaysville’s boil water advisory was still active in the city’s latest public updates. Residents and businesses should continue following official water-safety instructions before using tap water for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth. Some customers were still experiencing interruptions while crews worked on repairs.
The city also lifted the overnight curfew and reopened access toward neighboring Copperhill, Tennessee, while continuing patrols to protect storm-damaged property.
Local businesses face a difficult holiday season
McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp told Atlanta News First that downtown commerce has suffered as tourists stay away. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s holiday trips are operating, but the usual layover in McCaysville and Copperhill has been affected as local shops and restaurants recover.
For a town that depends heavily on visitor spending, the combination of property damage, utility work and lost holiday foot traffic could have consequences long after floodwaters recede.
Residents seeking flood-related help may contact McCaysville’s command center at 762-270-4010, according to local reporting. Visitors should avoid entering damaged areas merely to look at the destruction and should confirm that a business has reopened before traveling.
Sources: CBS Atlanta on the emergency extension and city changes and Atlanta News First on McCaysville’s economic recovery.
Featured image: File photo of McCaysville in June 2021, before the flood; Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
