MCCAYSVILLE, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency as catastrophic flooding continues to impact northwest Georgia,

Gov. Kemp says the state of emergency has been declared in Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, and Union counties on Thursday. A curfew has also been issued in McCaysville.

Gov. Kemp says state agencies are working alongside local emergency crews prompting rescues, road closures in McCaysville.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is coordinating the response, with assistance from the Georgia Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Fannin County School System announced that “school is canceled on Friday due to continuing efforts throughout the county to recover from last night’s storm. This means there will be no virtual or in-person school.”

CNN correspondent Isabelle Rosalez described how quickly the Toccoa River rose as heavy rainfall overwhelmed the community.

“The Toccoa River rose overnight 15 feet, rising 2 feet per hour. That’s a record. This is catastrophic flooding,” Rosalez said.

State officials are using boats and aircraft to support rescue and recovery operations, while emergency responders from surrounding counties and Tennessee are also helping in affected communities.

“This is an ongoing flash flood emergency, and if you are in the impacted area, seek higher ground and listen to your local emergency officials,” Kemp said.

McCaysville remains under a local state of emergency after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding throughout the community.

McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said the town was overwhelmed by rising water in a matter of hours.

“Within 5 hours, the town was actively flooded,” Earley said.

More than 30 water rescues were conducted overnight, according to Earley.

The flooding comes just months after McCaysville experienced another devastating flood in August, leaving the community facing another round of extensive damage.

“They just had another devastating event just in August flood waters rising all the way up taking down City Hall, taking down a majority of their buildings that they had just fixed up,” Rosalez added.

McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley said a 90-year-old woman was stranded on her countertop while waiting for rescuers to reach her.

Earley also reported that a propane tank caught fire in McCaysville, with crews working to put out the flames.

Earley expressed frustration over the town experiencing two major floods in such a short period.

“They call it the 100 year rain or flood; and we’ve had two in three months. I don’t know what God’s trying to tell me,” Earley said.

The McCaysville Water System is also under a boil water advisory until further notice, according to county emergency management officials.

Elsewhere in Fannin County, floodwaters have entered multiple homes, leaving some properties completely surrounded by water.

An emergency shelter opened Thursday morning at the Fannin County Recreation Center on Tom Boyd Road in Blue Ridge for residents affected by the flooding.

The severe weather has also forced schools in Fannin and Gilmer counties to close Thursday.

Emergency officials continue to urge residents in affected areas to follow safety instructions and avoid dangerous floodwaters.