DeKalb County State of Emergency: Drivers forced to spend the night at gas station, pregnant woman rescued

Unprecedented winter weather has paralyzed metro Atlanta, prompting local officials to urge residents to shelter in place and stay off icy roads. 

The situation remains dire as stranded vehicles, abandoned cars, and hazardous conditions dominate the region.

SEE ALSO: Black ice, icy roads in Atlanta overnight | The latest forecast

DeKalb County road conditions

What we know:

An unprecedented winter storm on Tuesday left dozens of drivers stranded on icy roads, forcing many to spend the night in their cars as conditions became too dangerous to drive. County leaders have since declared a state of emergency, citing ongoing hazardous road conditions.

More than 100 cars were stranded, and the county received over 100 calls for service. Gas stations across the area, including one near Rock Chapel Road and Pleasant Hill, turned into makeshift parking lots for those unable to make it home.

Dozens of abandoned vehicles lined Young Road and even a MARTA bus was stranded on Redan Road. Many areas remain coated in ice, with melting slow due to freezing temperatures.

Icy conditions along Clifton Road on Tuesday night caused a hit-and-run driver to plow right into another car that was parked on the street.

The situation has forced many residents to seek shelter in unexpected places. Gas stations, such as a Chevron on Rock Chapel Road near Pleasant Hill Road, became makeshift refuges for drivers unable to make it home Tuesday night. Some spent over 12 hours in their vehicles, using their car heaters to stay warm. 

DeKalb County officials have deployed salt and brine trucks to improve road conditions, but some areas remain treacherous. Leaders are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Pregnant woman rescued from icy road

What they're saying:

Adding to the challenges, a pregnant woman on her way to the hospital had to be rescued, and fire trucks in some areas became stuck on the icy roads.

"Last night was crazy, man," said one driver, who declined to be identified. He left his car at a gas station, joining others who parked, turned on their heaters, and waited for conditions to improve. "The ice wasn’t drivable, so we had to park at the gas station. Thankfully, it is a gas station, so those without gas could get some. We just sat in the cars for the most part."

Mike Williams was one of many residents caught in the chaos. "There’s nowhere to go. All the cars are blocked up. Can’t go forward or back. So you just stand there," he said. Williams eventually ran out of gas and had no choice but to walk three hours to get home.

Resident Isabelle Friedman says she and her family were in their living room when they heard a loud boom outside. Their Nest camera captured the moments a driver skidded into their neighbor's car before taking off.

"It’s kind of insane. It happens quite a bit not to that extreme but a bunch of mirrors getting knocked off nobody ever stays to help," said Friedman.

FOX 5 was there on Wednesday afternoon when a tow truck was finally able to pull the vehicle away.

Gas station becomes refuge for stranded drivers

The backstory:

In another part of the county, a woman described the scene at a gas station where 20 to 30 cars were abandoned. "I just want to get home. That’s all I want. I just want to get in my house safe and sound," she said. The woman spent the night in her car, recalling, "Straight ice. Cars were spinning all over the place. Everything was sheets of ice out here. Ice, ice, ice."

Truck driver Darryl Jamar was stranded miles away on Lithonia Industrial Boulevard, where he and about 10 other tractor-trailer drivers were forced to spend the night in their vehicles. "It’s frustrating, man, because they should have salted down, and we aren’t seeing the help out here. It’s frustrating, especially trying to get home to your family," Jamar said.

"It was horrible. It was a nice experience, but it was horrible," said Alcia Pie, who was forced to abandon her car at a gas station and walk home. "I had to park my car at a gas station and walk all the way up."

Pie, who compared the storm’s aftermath to her experiences in New York, said, "This is worse than New York. This is worse. In New York, we have manholes in the street, and it starts melting. So, yeah, this is worse."

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The winter snow storm prompted a State of Emergency to be declared in DeKalb County after some residents ended up having to stay in their cars overnight into Jan. 22, 2025. (FOX 5)

DeKalb County State of Emergency

Big picture view:

DeKalb County work crews have already distributed over 500 tons of salt sand to treat roads countywide, but there are still slick spots like this one county officials are concerned about. 

"We had over 200 stranded motorists that we’ve rescued in the past 24 hours," said Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, CEO of DeKalb County.

She  says county emergency officials spent several days preparing the roadways for this second winter weather event.

Even still, an emergency vehicle was among those that required assistance after sliding into a ditch.

"We have had to literally dig out an ambulance," said Cochran-Johnson.

Is there still ice on the roads in DeKalb County?

What's next:

As the roads gradually improve, more residents are returning to retrieve their abandoned vehicles. County officials stress caution, reminding the public to avoid travel if possible until conditions fully stabilize.

Despite road crews spreading salt and brine, icy hills continue to pose significant challenges, causing vehicles, including trucks, to spin out or become stuck. Residents have begun spreading dirt themselves in an attempt to improve road conditions. 

"We are concerned that what we may experience this evening in terms of inclement weather and the freezing of roads may be more severe than what we’ve already seen," Cochran-Johnson said.

Cochran Johnson says right now crews are prioritizing main highways and side roads as far as roads they are treating.

DeKalb County officials declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday morning and are urging everyone to remain home if possible while they address the situation. 

DeKalb CountyWinter WeatherNews