Here is an example of just how perilous our roads are today: Two Georgia DOT dump trucks slid off the roadway while plowing snow. Most importantly, neither GDOT driver was injured! One truck slid off SR 60 in Hall County and one truck slid off SR 115 in White County.
GDOT drivers are trained to drive in winter weather and our trucks are specifically equipped for winter weather and are they having trouble – please stay off the roads.
With the threat of a “dire” storm looming, Georgia DOT dump trucks mounted with snow plows and spreaders are treating Northeast Georgia’s state routes and interstates. A mixture of winter precipitation is now falling throughout Northeast Georgia, it is snowing in Cumming to Gainesville to Athens and sleet south of there.
“This is a very dangerous ice storm and we strongly encourage the public to stay off the roads unless it is an extreme emergency” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden.
Crews are plowing snow and spreading salt and gravel on state routes and interstates throughout the region.
Heavy snow accumulations in Banks, Elbert, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Madison, Stephens, Rabun, Towns, Union and White Counties recovers the roadway minutes after the snow is plowed off. Roadway conditions are treacherous. Do not travel in these counties – stay put, please. Additional traffic on the roads will compound already perilous conditions.
At approximately 9:00 pm last night, Georgia DOT crews began a systematic treatment and retreatment of metro area interstates, running their routes accompanied by the safety of the GSP escorts.
Latest weather predictions call for a “dire ice storm” that could include extreme black ice; 7+ inches of snow across Northeast Georgia; freezing rain with up to 1 inch of ice accumulation north and south of the I-20 corridor; and 20 -30 mph winds which increase the threat for widespread downed limbs, trees and power lines.
The Department is working with the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia (OAAG) to post advisories and messages on over 250 electronic billboards across the state. Information will also be posted on Changeable Message Signs in the metro area.
Georgia DOT continues to coordinate with all state agencies at the Emergency Operations Center and Special Operations Center which will remain active throughout this winter storm event.
After the storm, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency advises to use flashlights for emergency lighting if there is a loss of electric service; use kerosene heaters only in well-ventilated areas; do not store objects or dry clothes on heaters and remember to disconnect or turn off appliances that were in use when the power went out.
