Flood recovery continues in Copperhill, McCaysville as neighbors help neighbors

Copperhill, TN (Atlanta News First) — One week after historic flooding hit communities along the Georgia-Tennessee line, residents of Copperhill, Tennessee, and neighboring McCaysville, Georgia, are beginning the long process of cleaning up and rebuilding.

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Copperhill, a city that relies heavily on tourism, appeared largely empty Friday afternoon as recovery efforts got underway.

Wes Davis, the emergency management director for Polk County, Tennessee, said rebuilding could take years.

Davis described the flooding as a 100-year flood that left much of both communities underwater. Rescue crews helped people on both sides of the state line, he said.

“We had almost 70-something people rescued during that time... and that’s a combination between Georgia and Tennessee,” Davis said.

With rescue efforts over, the focus has shifted to cleanup and helping residents get their lives back on track. Supplies are being distributed from Copperhill City Hall.

“We have almost like a mini-Walmart upstairs right now of all kinds of supplies and stuff,” Davis said. “We want to emphasize to people: Come get this stuff.”