Tennessee Flood Disaster: Record River Levels Swamp CopperhillCatastrophic flooding has devastated Copperhill in southeastern Tennessee after torrential overnight rainfall sent the Ocoee River surging to a record 18.05 feet on November 5, 2026.The historic river crest surpassed the previous record of 17.75 feet set in 1990. Parts of the affected watershed received approximately 8–10 inches of rainfall, triggering severe flash flooding across the Tennessee-Georgia border.Floodwaters inundated homes, businesses, roads and downtown streets. Some Copperhill businesses reported between three and five feet of water inside their premises.Emergency responders completed 68 rescues in Tennessee, while at least 57 people were rescued in neighbouring McCaysville, Georgia. Boats were deployed to evacuate stranded residents as authorities closed bridges and restricted access to affected areas.The disaster also damaged local infrastructure. Copperhill reported a water-main break, prompting a boil-water advisory and water conservation measures. A mandatory overnight curfew was announced in affected flood areas as cleanup and damage assessments began.The flooding followed intense rainfall across the mountainous Ocoee River watershed, with heavy precipitation upstream in Georgia contributing to the rapid rise in river levels.Watch the latest coverage of the Tennessee floods, Copperhill flash flooding, record Ocoee River levels, emergency rescues and the devastating impact on communities along the Tennessee-Georgia border.Subscribe for breaking news, extreme weather, natural disasters, floods, storms and global developments.
Comments