MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. — Catastrophic mountain runoff left one motorist dead in Murray County and forced nearly 100 water rescues across north Georgia, state emergency leaders said after a briefing that also detailed a multi-county disaster order.
GEMA Director Josh Lamb said rushing water pushed a car along Old CCC Camp Road before crews recovered the driver. Lamb said responders know of one other flood injury at this point. A formal medical cause of death has not been released.
Almost all of the water rescues were concentrated in Fannin County, with a few more in Gilmer County. Boat crews from neighboring counties, Tri-State mutual aid partners and state game wardens reached homes that rising creeks had isolated.
Gov. Brian Kemp activated emergency powers for Fannin, Gilmer, Murray and Union counties so state assets can move without delay. The agency elevated its operations center and filled a slate of resource asks covering aircraft, boats, drones, debris crews and potable water.
In McCaysville, the water plant remains shut down and residents are under a boil advisory while bottled supplies are distributed near City Hall. Gilmer County listed roads and culverts washed away. Union County reported little structural harm. The American Red Cross is housing people at the recreation center on Winding Drive in Blue Ridge, and airspace limits keep hobby drones and private planes clear of rescue aircraft.
Damage tallies are still preliminary. Reopening highways and hauling debris remain the immediate recovery priorities as shared river corridors with Tennessee communities continue to drain.
Filed under: Atlanta GA Weather News
