State, City Leaders Prepare for Winter Storm
ATLANTA - State and local governments are busy preparing for the winter storm that is already hitting parts of north Georgia and predicted to hit metro Atlanta Friday evening.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed held a news conference Friday morning to discuss how the city is preparing for the storm. Thirty crews will be out working on Friday, but the mayor is urging everyone to leave work early so the city can properly prepare.
City offices closed at 11 a.m. Friday. Atlanta Public Schools are closing between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., using a staggered approach. Mayor Reed asked all major employers to dismiss employees no later than 2 p.m.
"It is extremely important that when people leave, they don't all leave at once," Reed said.
Reed said the city needs to have access to the streets to begin treating the roads.
Thursday, Governor Nathan Deal expanded his State of Emergency declaration to more counties, including Banks, Hall, Franklin, Rabun, Stephens and Hart. That brought the total number of counties included to 21. He also extended the State of Emergency through Sunday night.
"It appears that the forecast continues to drop the affected area even closer to metro Atlanta," said Governor Deal. "So, we're [going to] be prepared to do that and respond to the areas, especially in northeast Georgia where it appears that they're [going to] be hit the hardest."
A large part of that preparation is focused on the roadways. The Department of Transportation has brine trucks standing by in metro Atlanta to treat the roads ahead of any snow or freezing rain. The DOT says it appears that 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday will be the best opportunity to treat highways in metro Atlanta. The agency is asking drivers to stay off the roads at that time to make their work easier. "We cannot spread the materials if we are stuck in traffic; and without the materials on the roadway before the snow hits, we lose a valuable tool in fighting the effects of this winter storm,” said DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry.
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GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale reminded drivers to take extra precautions on the roads, even where crews have treated the pavement.
"Make sure that when you hit those bridges and overpasses, you're being cautious. Make sure that you're going the speed limit, you're giving enough distance between cars, because even though we're out there treating roads, there's still not in optimal condition for travel," said Dale.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency says people should be prepared for the impact of the winter weather. "Not just our team needs to be prepared, but individuals need to be prepared as well," explained GEMA Director Jim Butterworth. "Having that self-sufficiency should we have power going out and that kind of thing, that's a necessity too."