Georgia businesses cleanup to start over after devastating flooding

MCCAYSVILLE, Ga. — Days after floodwaters devastated the north Georgia town of McCaysville, residents and business owners are still dealing with the damage.

A boil water advisory remains in place, and most of the town is still without electricity. A curfew is also in effect, and the town remains officially closed. Those seen in the area are part of the recovery effort, helping residents and business owners remove damaged belongings and debris.

On Tuesday, Donna Tressler spent much of the day clearing out what was once Dixie Discount and Donna’s Flowers, her family’s gift store that had been in business for 30 years.

Located near Blue Ridge Drive and East Tennessee Avenue, the store was flooded along with the rest of downtown McCaysville. A visible water line on the front door shows how high the floodwaters reached.

Tressler said the store carried knives, jewelry, gifts and flowers. The damage has forced her to completely gut the building.

She said eight dumpsters of debris have already been filled and removed.