Deal urges patience as emergency responders continue work
Gov. Nathan Deal today cautioned Georgians to remain patient and off the roads while state agencies continued working to keep roadways safe, restore power and responding to winter storm damage needs. No fatalities have been reported and the state’s Emergency Operations Command remains open. The State of Emergency remains in effect until 11:59 a.m. Sunday, January 9.
“I’m grateful for the cooperation of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies for their tireless efforts, coordination and cooperation with local authorities. As power begins to be restored and roadways continue to be treated, I urge Georgians to remain cautious, vigilant and patient.”
Georgia Department of Transportation treated approximately 7,500 miles of rods and interstates with brine and salt from Thursday through Saturday morning.
Throughout the night GDOT’s crews have been on the roadways responding to the changing weather conditions. Currently, crews are out re-treating any current icing spots and will continue to retreat roadways as needed for those areas that remain frozen or refreeze. GDOT is continuing to monitor the situation and is responding to any and all trouble spots accordingly as those reports come in.
The multi-agency strike teams are out on the interstate system reporting road conditions, escorting GDOT road crews, and responding to any accidents.
*Interstates remained passable through the night although there were numerous accidents across the affected area. No fatalities have been reported at this time.
*GDOT will continue to spread salt and brine on all interstates throughout the area all day and into tonight. They will continue to work major State routes as well. The multi-agency traffic strike teams remain active responding to accidents.
*GA Forestry, DNR and Department of Corrections chain saw crews have responded to numerous requirements to remove downed trees.
*GA Power reported approximately 10, 000 outages across the metro area as a result of the weather system. Crews are actively restoring power at this time.
*Approximately 97 people sought shelter in the 23 shelters / warming centers opened by the Red Cross, DNR State Parks or the National Guard.
*There were no major issues reported within the public health community.
*The State Operations Center remains engaged supporting local jurisdictions as the morning progresses and many citizens have taken to the highways.
*A State / County conference call will be conducted this morning at 10 AM to further our coordination efforts.
*The State Operations Center will remain active until the threat to our road network is resolved.
The Red Cross has shelters open and the Georgia DOD has warming stations open to the public. Information on shelter locations can be found at www.gema.ga.gov.
For more information, contact Catherine Howden at GEMHSA.