Winter Storm Hits GA: 'Stay Off The Roads,' Power Outages Climb

Updated 4:35 p.m.

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia officials warned wintry weather conditions could last through the weekend if temperatures do not warm, with snow is forecast to continue through Friday. Numerous crashes were reported in the Atlanta region as authorities urged residents to stay off the roads.

The storm has halted flights at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

At 5 p.m. Friday, the PowerOutage.US site said 10,624 utility customers were without power in Georgia, including in Carroll, Haralson, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and a few other metro Atlanta counties.

Gov. Brian Kemp said he is thankful for Georgia's detailed preparation ahead of Winter Storm Cora.

"It’s hard to keep up with Mother Nature, but we’re doing our best," he said.

With the National Guard in training, Kemp said they could be called into action, if needed.

The glacial wintry weather is expected to continue throughout Friday, and while the snow may clear out by Saturday, state weather officials said precipitation could re-freeze by Sunday morning if temperatures do not become warmer.

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Friday's winter storm is different than in 2014, when dozens of cars were stuck on the roads during "Snowmageddon," said Director Chris Stallings of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

Stallings said state officials are not allowing vehicles to stay stranded on roadways.

Transportation crews began brining the roads on Wednesday in anticipation of Cora. Russell McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, said more than 20,000 miles have been brined on interstates.

Crews continued working throughout Friday morning as state officials attempted to stay ahead of the snow and ice storm.

Bridges have been spot-treated with at least 270 tons of salt and sand mixture.

McMurry said crews are plowing slush and snow to the side so the roadways can be re-treated, keeping frozen precipitation from sticking.

State weather officials said if freezing rain lands on top of snow, melting could become more difficult.

Wind speeds of 10-15 mph on Saturday could cause power outages, state officials said.

GEMA/HS is prepared to distribute blankets, food, water and generators to hard-hit areas, if needed, Stallings said. He added cut teams are ready should trees fall.

Winter Weather Forecast

A winter storm warning remained in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday for north and central Georgia, and a state of emergency was ordered. The National Weather Service said some areas could see up to 2-3 inches of heavy snow in the next several hours on Friday.

This includes Chattooga, Wilkes, Walker, Whitfield, Hall, Jackson, Fulton, Catoosa, Barrow, Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Pickens, Dade, Fannin, Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett, White, Paulding, Murray, Lumpkin, Gilmer, Madison, Polk, Union, Towns, Gordon, Oglethorpe, Clarke and Floyd counties.

On Saturday, gusty winds could be a problem as they batter built-up ice and snow on trees and power lines, the NWS said.

'Stay Off the Roads'

Spin-outs have been a major concern for drivers, state officials said, and residents have been asked to stay off the roads.

For real-time updates on traffic, weather and road conditions, call 511.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed on Interstate 75 south at the Truist Park/Cumberland Boulevard exit, causing a pileup of eight tractor-trailers and forcing the closure of the ramp, McMurry said. He advised drivers to travel to the next exit to access Interstate 285.

Around 8:30 a.m. Friday, the NWS said heavy snow was pouring over Ranger, which is 13 miles west of Jasper. The storm was moving northeast at 55 mph.

The snow remained persistent in the Smyrna area.

The NWS warned travel will become more difficult due to the snow-covered roads.

The GDOT said it has deployed almost 2,000 workers, 400 snow removal trucks and 1.8 million gallons of brine in response to the snowstorm.

Roswell city officials announced a closure at Holcomb Bridge Road between Martin's Landing and Eves Road. Officials said the road is impassable.

Dogwood Road between Holcomb and Hemingway Lane has also been closed.

"Road conditions have deteriorated rapidly. Please stay off the roads for your own safety and the safety of emergency personnel responding to drivers in need," city officials said.

In Snellville, Scenic Highway/State Route 124 at Ronald Reagan Parkway was closed shortly after 9 a.m.

"Please stay off the road if at all possible. People are slipping around everywhere," Snellville Police said.

Gwinnett County Police reported several car crashes as they urged residents to not drive unless necessary.

Police said road issues included dozens of cars stuck on the roads and causing backups, iced roads, crashes and road closures.

In a Nixle alert, Athens-Clarke County Police said people should avoid hills and bridges due to iced roads.

McMurry advised drivers who are faced with slushy conditions to slow down and not hard brake. He suggested they do not perform rapid maneuvers with the steering wheel.

He asked drivers in non-emergency situations to call 511.