Fannin County Schools and Courthouse Closed Friday After River Surges 16 Feet

Fannin County Schools, the Fannin County Courthouse, and Blue Ridge City Hall will remain closed on Friday, Nov. 6. The closures allow emergency responders and road crews to clear mud and evaluate bridges in areas where the Toccoa-Ocoee River recently overflowed its banks.

Gilmer County Schools will operate on a normal schedule on Friday. The decision to close Fannin County facilities follows a rapid rise in water levels that occurred over a 12-hour period late Wednesday and early Thursday. The river crest reached approximately 18 feet, a record high for the area.

Heavy rainfall drained quickly into the river basin from steep terrain. The surge pushed water hundreds of yards beyond the normal shoreline. Downtown streets in Fannin County were submerged, and several secondary roadways and culverts were washed out. The flooding affected the border towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.

Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for Fannin, Gilmer, Union, and Murray counties. This action mobilized state resources after more than 80 people were rescued from floodwaters. Skies cleared by Thursday afternoon, but officials decided to keep schools and offices closed on Friday to reduce traffic on compromised rural routes.

Public works crews are currently clearing thick silt and testing the structural integrity of local bridges. The Fannin County Emergency Management Agency confirmed the closure list directly. The agency also urged residents with property or structural damage to submit reports through its online self-reporting portal. This data helps state and county officials determine disaster response needs.

Drivers in the region are advised to avoid driving around road closure barricades or through standing water. The closure schedule for Friday, Nov. 6, applies to all Fannin County Schools, the county courthouse, and the Blue Ridge municipal building.