Governor's move opens up state resources for disaster preparedness in areas expecting ice
ATLANTA, GA (PR) - Acting on a recommendation from the state's Emergency Operations Command, Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order to declare a state of emergency for disaster preparedness for the 15 North Georgia counties under a winter storm warning and will ask state workers in affected areas who are not involved in emergency response to work from home.
"I am issuing this order out of an abundance of caution, so the state can make all preparations necessary to quickly and efficiently address any potential winter weather problems," said Deal. "We will monitor the weather throughout the night and allocate state resources as needed should ice formation creep further south into the metro area."
Deal has declared emergencies for Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield counties. The governor's order notes that in these counties forecasts call for ice accumulation and moderately high wind gusts that could bring down tree limbs.
“I remain hopeful that the low pressure system will move northward, thus allowing warmer temperatures into our state,” Deal said. “With forecasts showing temperatures hovering around the freezing point, however, we have to work on the assumption that we’ll face icy conditions.”
In an effort to minimize the number of afternoon commuters, Deal is directing state agency heads to close state offices in the 15 affected counties as well as on Capitol Hill, with the exception of all essential and emergency personnel. State employees in these areas are encouraged to telecommute.
In Augusta
AUGUSTA, GA (Emergency Management) - We're thankful for no ice or snow in our area but if you're traveling through Wilkes County in the morning you'll want to know about this update from the National Weather Service:
WILKES
BLACK ICE AND SLICK SPOTS ARE POSSIBLE ON ROADWAYS EARLY TUESDAY MORNING...
AREAS OF RAIN WILL PUSH ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH TONIGHT...
RESULTING IN WIDESPREAD WET SURFACES. TEMPERATURES COULD DIP TO FREEZING JUST BEFORE SUNRISE FOR MANY AREAS...GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A LA GRANGE TO ATHENS LINE.
THIS WILL RESULT IN PATCHES OF BLACK ICE... ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES BETWEEN 5 AM AND 10 AM TUESDAY MORNING. THIS INCLUDES THE ATLANTA METRO AREA.
IN ADDITION TO THE BLACK ICE THREAT... A BRIEF MIX OF RAIN WITH SLEET AND SNOW... OR BRIEF PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE JUST BEFORE THE RAIN ENDS EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.
LITTLE OR NO ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO WARM ABOVE FREEZING BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10 AM TUESDAY MORNING... GREATLY DIMINISHING THE BLACK ICE THREAT ACROSS THE AREA BY MID TO LATE TUESDAY MORNING.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO SLOW DOWN AND USE EXTRA CAUTION DURING THEIR TUESDAY MORNING COMMUTE. BE ALERT FOR ISOLATED SLICK SPOTS...
ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES THROUGH MID TO LATE TUESDAY MORNING.
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