Polk County declares state of emergency after severe flooding

Record Floods Trigger 68 Rescues and State of Emergency in Southeast Tennessee

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed that Polk County declared a state of emergency following a deluge that dropped 8 to 10 inches of rain across the local watershed.

The heaviest blow fell on Copperhill, where floodwaters surged to unprecedented heights. The Ocoee River crested at a record 18.05 feet early Thursday morning, shattering the previous mark of 17.75 feet and overwhelming local infrastructure. Across the border in McCaysville, Georgia, rising water reached depths of 6 to 7 feet in the downtown district, leaving several buildings submerged to their rooflines and prompting an immediate closure of the city to unauthorized personnel.

Tennessee Valley Authority Halts Blue Ridge Dam Releases

The catastrophic runoff originated from a massive accumulation of moisture in the Toccoa and Ocoee river basin. The Tennessee Valley Authority intervened by halting all releases from the Blue Ridge Dam beginning at 7 a.m. Thursday to mitigate the downstream surge. Operators at Ocoee No. 3 subsequently scaled back water releases from more than 23,000 cubic feet per second down to less than 6,000 cubic feet per second as cresting levels began to recede by late morning.

Despite the receding water, the physical toll on regional infrastructure remains severe. The Polk County Road Department reported that a large structure broke from its foundation on Grassy Creek Road, slamming into the Rogers Creek Bridge and forcing its immediate closure. Both bridges in Copperhill were shuttered to traffic, while Tennessee Department of Transportation crews labored to clear thick mud and debris from State Route 68.

Displaced Residents Find Refuge at Copper Basin Fire and Rescue

Displaced residents found refuge at an evacuation center established by the American Red Cross at Copper Basin Fire and Rescue. Meanwhile, essential supplies poured into a distribution point set up at the local Piggly Wiggly located at 125 Five Points Drive in Copperhill. Utility systems also sustained heavy strain, prompting Copperhill Utilities to issue a mandatory water-conservation notice for all remaining residents.

Emergency shelters are open for individuals and families impacted by flooding in Polk County and the Copper Basin area.

TEMA announced via official channels while deploying state resources to coordinate clean-up efforts and deliver potable water to affected neighborhoods.

Schools throughout Polk County in Tennessee, alongside neighboring Fannin and Gilmer counties in Georgia, remained closed on Thursday due to impassable roads and lingering hazards. In McCaysville, emergency management officials reported that at least 57 people were pulled from rising waters by swift-water teams, with one firefighter sustaining minor injuries and several residents treated for hypothermia and shock.

State Inspectors Examine Bridge Foundations After Floodwaters Recede

State inspectors are slated to examine bridge foundations and structural integrity once floodwaters completely recede and safety permits. Ocoee River State Park is closed because of flooding.

Local civic organizations, including the Polk County Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of the Ocoee Region, have opened dedicated relief funds. Authorities continue to urge motorists to avoid entering flooded roadways and to monitor local emergency instructions as recovery efforts extend into the weekend.

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