ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp joined other state emergency management leaders amid a winter storm warning to reiterate what they’ve been cautioning Georgians for the past 72 hours: stay off the roads, stay warm, and let crews work.
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said crews used 770 tons of salt to treat overpasses and bridges and have brined over 20,000 miles of roadway from Macon to the Tennessee state border. This figure includes crews’ efforts along Interstate 20 from Alabama and South Carolina state lines.
Despite the treatment, the continuous worsening winter conditions means GDOT is now looking to plow the roads, prioritizing interstates. This is to retreat areas as frozen precipitation comes in later this evening.
GDOT said more than 300 snow plows will be actively working around the clock until this system subsides.
Ultimately, Georgia leaders are asking people to stay indoors.
McMurray emphasized that crews are seeing a lot of drivers spinning out, calling it a “significant amount” contributing to the climbing numbers of stalled cars. It’s clear that people are struggling to keep control of their vehicles, contributing to traffic jams on major interstates.
GDOT offered these tips if drivers hit the road:
- Slow down
- Drive conservatively
- Avoid quick movements of the steering wheel
- Stay home if you can
In metro Atlanta, MARTA has suspended bus and streetcar service. Ride Gwinnett has also suspended bus and micro transit service through Saturday morning.
The Department of Natural Resources has six task force teams and 12 strike teams to help with public safety road debris clearing, according to Kemp.
DNR crews are also preparing state parks for those who need shelter or warming stations.
“Especially those parks that are near the North Georgia mountains, those are near capacity,” Kemp said, as he advised people to go south if they need to evacuate their homes for warmer conditions.
Local warming stations have also been activated across Georgia counties.
Kemp declared a state of emergency Thursday morning to aid in freeing up resources. He clarified Friday morning that this declaration did not include the National Guard, but he is prepared to involve troops if conditions become more dire.
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