Flash flood emergencies hit Georgia-Tennessee line as Alaska wind warnings take effect

Flash flood emergencies hit Georgia-Tennessee line as Alaska wind warnings take effect

By Raven Eclipse

Flooding along the Georgia-Tennessee line was the most immediate U.S. weather threat Thursday morning, with flash flood emergencies in effect for McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, and the Toccoa River at Copperhill in major flood at 17.99 feet.

Past 24 Hours

Water pushed into homes and businesses around Copperhill and McCaysville before daybreak Thursday after torrential rain fell on the mountains straddling north Georgia and southeast Tennessee. The National Weather Service said a flash flood emergency for Copperhill remained in place after local law enforcement reported widespread catastrophic flooding, with numerous businesses and homes under several feet of water.

WeatherScope radar image of McCaysville and Copperhill.
Radar over McCaysville and Copperhill at about 7:30 AM EST Thursday showed the heavy rain had moved out while the flooding went on, from the WeatherScope live map. Open this map.

Just across the state line in Fannin County, Georgia, the National Weather Service said a flash flood emergency for McCaysville continued after 3 to 5 inches of rain fell there. Farther downstream in Polk County, Tennessee, a flood warning said several structures were flooded and named Ducktown and Copperhill among the places dealing with high water.

What's Happening Now

Flood warnings and flash flood warnings were still active in Georgia and Tennessee on Thursday morning. The Weather Prediction Center said the chance of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance was less than 5 percent through early Friday. That means the worst of the rain was easing, but rivers and creeks could stay dangerous after sunrise.

In southeast Alaska, a high wind warning covered Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Prince of Wales Island from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. AKST, with southeast winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. A separate warning for Annette Island called for southeast winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.

Weather Prediction Center excessive rainfall outlook map.
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center showed no organized flash flood risk area for Thursday into early Friday, even as rivers remained high after overnight flooding in north Georgia and southeast Tennessee. Credit: NOAA.
WeatherScope wind gusts map for southeast Alaska.
Wind Gusts across Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island at Thursday, Nov 5, 3:34 AM AKST, from the WeatherScope live map (NOAA GFS forecast model). Open this map.

Outlook Through Tonight

No severe thunderstorms are expected in the United States through tonight. The Storm Prediction Center said severe storms were unlikely today and tonight.

Along the flooded Georgia-Tennessee line, the immediate danger shifts from pounding rain to swollen waterways and blocked roads through the morning, even as the heaviest downpours move out. In southeast Alaska, strong winds are expected to peak during the day before easing later tonight.

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