Officials Debate Road Construction's Role in McCaysville and Copperhill Flooding
The cities of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, are recovering from severe flooding following a storm that dropped over seven inches of rain in eight hours. Local officials, including McCaysville's Chief of Police Michael Earley, suggest that ongoing State Highway 5 road construction may have exacerbated drainage issues, leading to significant flooding in downtown areas. Businesses, government buildings, and residential properties have been affected, with the McCaysville Police Department and Post Office among those flooded. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has acknowledged the storm's severity but has not confirmed construction as a contributing factor. GDOT plans to explore future mitigation strategies. Both cities are under boil water advisories due to damage to water treatment systems. 
