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By: Jennifer Sami
CUMMING — Morning snow showers gave way to rain and flint gray skies Tuesday afternoon in Forsyth County as residents braced for plunging temperatures overnight and a coating of ice. Authorities were monitoring the situation closely as the weather forecasters issued an unusually dire winter warning. The storm could be a "catastrophic event" reaching "historical proportions," according to the National Weather Service. The ice threat is expected to begin in Georgia overnight. As much as 9 inches of snow could fall in parts of north Georgia by Wednesday night. As of Tuesday night, Doug Rainwater with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies were beginning to see ice — “not much, but some” — starting to form on concrete.“If it continues like this, naturally it will be pretty tough,” Rainwater said. “The snow should be tapering off a little bit … but we started our emergency operations center this morning, where the different departments in Forsyth County come together and we sit in this big room and coordinate all the different services.” In addition to the sheriff’s office, those departments include fire, emergency management services and roads and bridges.“We will stay the duration until everything's over, probably Thursday afternoon,” Rainwater said.“We will take whatever comes our way and right now we have plenty of resources (salt and other road supplies) for that. We'll help the motorists the best we can. Naturally, the best thing to do is not drive unless you have to.” Teri Pope, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, said nothing major has been reported so far in Forsyth, which doesn't "have many higher elevations, thankfully." She did note, however, that the weather is constantly changing. "We're starting to get reports of bridges icing, but no Lake Lanier bridges yet,” she said. “Bridges will be a major concern” Tuesday night and into Wednesday. According to Pope, the department has 2,100 miles of state routes and interstates, as well as 750 bridges, in northeast Georgia. "So for every three miles you drive, you drive across a bridge," she said. "Most people don't think about how many bridges they cross. We are trying to get people to stop and think about their route, the bridges on the route and the conditions at their destination too.” Logan Thomas, a spokesman for Forsyth County’s government, said staff members have had several weather briefings.“We're on it, we're ready and everyone is prepared to ride it out,” he said. “As of right now, it's just wet roads. We're monitoring as the weather system develops for ice.” County Road Superintendent Patrick L. Tittle said the department "has prepared all of its necessary equipment for salting and scraping roads throughout the county.”“We are currently monitoring the weather to determine the appropriate time to dispatch crews,” he said. Tittle added that inclement weather procedures, including the primary and secondary road salt orders, can be found on the county’s website, under the roads and bridges department dropdown menu. Avery Gravitt, director of fleet services for the county, said employees will be working 12-hour shifts.“They will handle main service items for inclement weather like snow chains being installed as required, wiper blade replacements … repairing any lighting issues such as headlights and patrol lights and repairs to any of the snow-grading and salt-spreading equipment and tire replacement,” he said. “They're going to be on call for the duration, beginning tonight.” Rainwater said the sheriff’s office is taking a similar approach and trying to be prepared for "everything and anything." "We are now going to add to our personnel because of the possibility of widespread icing," he said. "We are doubling our shifts for the next two days.“We've got the personnel that we need and I know for a fact that the fire department has what they need. It's just a matter of time.” Pope said roads will be easier for transportation department crews to treat if there are fewer vehicles, something Gov. Nathan Deal emphasized during a press conference Monday, when he declared a state of emergency in Georgia. "People need to be weather-aware over the next several days,” Pope said. “Conditions will get worse … check the forecast and go sooner rather than later if they must get out. But the DOT will never recommend folks travel during a winter weather event. "If possible, please stay where you are and enjoy playing in the snow in your yard, while [DOT crews] work on the roads." Rainwater echoed that sentiment.“For right now, the roads are drivable,” he said. “They're starting to show signs of snow accumulation, but the snow isn't freezing on the asphalt, so there's still time to go out and do stuff you need to do, but I'd stay close to home. Because as we know, this weather system that's here now, it can change within an hour.” He also issued a word of caution to those who venture out later, when conditions may be worse.“If you leave your vehicle abandoned on a roadway obstructing traffic and causing harm to other cars, we will tow your car,” he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Check back for updates at forsythnews.com.
Clik here to view.
CUMMING — Morning snow showers gave way to rain and flint gray skies Tuesday afternoon in Forsyth County as residents braced for plunging temperatures overnight and a coating of ice. Authorities were monitoring the situation closely as the weather forecasters issued an unusually dire winter warning. The storm could be a "catastrophic event" reaching "historical proportions," according to the National Weather Service. The ice threat is expected to begin in Georgia overnight. As much as 9 inches of snow could fall in parts of north Georgia by Wednesday night. As of Tuesday night, Doug Rainwater with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies were beginning to see ice — “not much, but some” — starting to form on concrete.“If it continues like this, naturally it will be pretty tough,” Rainwater said. “The snow should be tapering off a little bit … but we started our emergency operations center this morning, where the different departments in Forsyth County come together and we sit in this big room and coordinate all the different services.” In addition to the sheriff’s office, those departments include fire, emergency management services and roads and bridges.“We will stay the duration until everything's over, probably Thursday afternoon,” Rainwater said.“We will take whatever comes our way and right now we have plenty of resources (salt and other road supplies) for that. We'll help the motorists the best we can. Naturally, the best thing to do is not drive unless you have to.” Teri Pope, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, said nothing major has been reported so far in Forsyth, which doesn't "have many higher elevations, thankfully." She did note, however, that the weather is constantly changing. "We're starting to get reports of bridges icing, but no Lake Lanier bridges yet,” she said. “Bridges will be a major concern” Tuesday night and into Wednesday. According to Pope, the department has 2,100 miles of state routes and interstates, as well as 750 bridges, in northeast Georgia. "So for every three miles you drive, you drive across a bridge," she said. "Most people don't think about how many bridges they cross. We are trying to get people to stop and think about their route, the bridges on the route and the conditions at their destination too.” Logan Thomas, a spokesman for Forsyth County’s government, said staff members have had several weather briefings.“We're on it, we're ready and everyone is prepared to ride it out,” he said. “As of right now, it's just wet roads. We're monitoring as the weather system develops for ice.” County Road Superintendent Patrick L. Tittle said the department "has prepared all of its necessary equipment for salting and scraping roads throughout the county.”“We are currently monitoring the weather to determine the appropriate time to dispatch crews,” he said. Tittle added that inclement weather procedures, including the primary and secondary road salt orders, can be found on the county’s website, under the roads and bridges department dropdown menu. Avery Gravitt, director of fleet services for the county, said employees will be working 12-hour shifts.“They will handle main service items for inclement weather like snow chains being installed as required, wiper blade replacements … repairing any lighting issues such as headlights and patrol lights and repairs to any of the snow-grading and salt-spreading equipment and tire replacement,” he said. “They're going to be on call for the duration, beginning tonight.” Rainwater said the sheriff’s office is taking a similar approach and trying to be prepared for "everything and anything." "We are now going to add to our personnel because of the possibility of widespread icing," he said. "We are doubling our shifts for the next two days.“We've got the personnel that we need and I know for a fact that the fire department has what they need. It's just a matter of time.” Pope said roads will be easier for transportation department crews to treat if there are fewer vehicles, something Gov. Nathan Deal emphasized during a press conference Monday, when he declared a state of emergency in Georgia. "People need to be weather-aware over the next several days,” Pope said. “Conditions will get worse … check the forecast and go sooner rather than later if they must get out. But the DOT will never recommend folks travel during a winter weather event. "If possible, please stay where you are and enjoy playing in the snow in your yard, while [DOT crews] work on the roads." Rainwater echoed that sentiment.“For right now, the roads are drivable,” he said. “They're starting to show signs of snow accumulation, but the snow isn't freezing on the asphalt, so there's still time to go out and do stuff you need to do, but I'd stay close to home. Because as we know, this weather system that's here now, it can change within an hour.” He also issued a word of caution to those who venture out later, when conditions may be worse.“If you leave your vehicle abandoned on a roadway obstructing traffic and causing harm to other cars, we will tow your car,” he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Check back for updates at forsythnews.com.