(Georgia Recorder) — More wintery weather is heading to Georgia, and state officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and be prepared in case of power outages.
This time around, south and central parts of the state are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to five inches possible from the Florida line up to south metro Atlanta and up to two inches possible farther north.
Frozen precipitation is rare in Georgia, even more so in the southern part of the state, and conditions could be similar to 2014’s “Snowmageddon,” Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news conference Tuesday.
“This could deteriorate very quickly like it did in 2014. That’s what we’re trying to avoid,” he said.
That year, a blizzard paralyzed much of the Atlanta area as icy conditions stranded people at work and in their cars on frozen highways. The day started with dry conditions in metro Atlanta and streets were coated with snow and ice soon after lunchtime.
Just like that time, with both air and ground temperatures close to freezing, any precipitation could melt and instantly refreeze, quickly causing dangerous driving conditions, said Georgia Emergency Management Agency meteorologist Will Lanxton.
“I’d encourage you to stay off the roads this afternoon and evening if at all possible because the temperatures tonight are going to be so cold, anything that sticks today is going to stick around tonight and tomorrow,” he said.
Unlike in 2014, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said crews have been out pre-treating interstates and high-traffic roads across the state, and 448 snow plows are ready to start clearing problem areas.
But McMurry said Georgians in affected areas should hunker down at home as much as possible so crews and first responders can do what they need to do.
“We really need that cooperation so we can do our job once the snow comes in and we have a big territory to cover, and we’ll stay with it until we can finish and make sure it’s safe,” he said. “Just be weather aware and make sure that you’re seeing what’s going on and trying to stay off the roadways so we can do our job.”
GEMA Director Chris Stallings advised Georgians who do not normally experience freezing temperatures that they should keep pipes dripping to avoid having them burst. Georgians should be prepared with blankets or other heat sources in case of a power outage and should be ready to check on elderly loved ones or others who may be vulnerable.
Stallings said one person described as a critical needs patient died of hypothermia Monday night after leaving a facility. No further details were immediately available.
Lanxton expressed optimism that the worst of the ice could melt away quickly, but he said dangerous conditions could last through Thursday.
“We’re going to get a lot of sunshine tomorrow, which hopefully will help to melt and dry what falls, but it’s not going to be very much above freezing, so we could see these impacts lingering through Thursday morning as well,” he said. “This could be a multi-day event. It is a statewide event. We’re not typically used to seeing snowfall amounts like this in middle and south Georgia.”
Stallings said people in affected areas should not make a run on grocery stores and will be OK with a couple days’ worth of supplies.
“Most everything you’ve got in your house right now is fine, you’ll be just fine,” he said.
“It’s more about preparing yourself for the water freezing, your pets being outside, things of that nature,” he added. “Also, preparing your phones. Go ahead and charge those devices should you have a power outage. It’s also important that you’re thinking about a plan should you lose power.”
