Mayor says lapse in tourism after flood will hurt McCaysville economy

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More than a week after floods rushed through downtown McCaysville, the small city has come a long way. But despite the cleanup progress, downtown sits empty. McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp said the lack of tourism, one of the city’s primary economic drivers, will hurt its residents economically during the holiday season.“The new normal is, there’s just going to be nothing here for a while,” Arp said.

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Blue Ridge Railway’s holiday train rides are underway. Typically, the train takes a two-hour layover in downtown McCaysville and downtown Copperhill for riders to shop, eat and explore. But right now, the train isn’t stopping, Arp said. “There’s no reason to get off,” Arp said. “Nothing’s here.”Arp said he hopes layovers can resume in the spring so the already suffering economy can stay afloat.

“We’re a tourist town, and that’s how we get revenue to keep us going,” Arp said. “So it’s not only devastating for all the citizens, and for the housing folks and the busines