Local News
Snowjam 2014: What the AJC's covering today
In this aerial photo, traffic is snarled along the I-285 perimeter north of the metro area after a winter snow storm, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's staff is working around the clock to provide unmatched coverage of the winter storm and its aftermath.
Here are some of the stories you'll see online today and in the newspaper Friday:
- GEMA – The state's emergency response agency said it followed its procedures in response to the snow and ice and would do the same thing again under threat of severe weather. If procedure produces this kind of failure, then is it time to change procedures? We ask state lawmakers who are back in session after the freeze.
- ABANDONED CARS – The lingering impact of the snow and ice includes hundreds of cars around metro Atlanta that are being claimed – or being towed at great expense to owners. Are some companies getting this windfall at the expense of stranded motorists?
- REED – Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed went on The Today Show a day after weatherman Al Roker said the gridlocked city was Reed's fault and not the fault of some shifting or unclear weather forecasting. Reed has gone from deflecting blame, to accepting blame, to making a nuanced argument about the city being prepared but the state – and Gov. Nathan Deal – dropping the ball. We revisit the blame game and the PR battle that continues today.
- SALT – With all of the talk about sanding, salting and pre-treating roads, what works best? And when is the right time to start that kind of work?
- GAS – We're checking on reports of shortages at gas stations, likely because tanker trucks can't make deliveries. We're also looking at when business expects to return to normal – and the continued economic impact of it all.
- FORECAST – Cobb County Commission chairman Tim Lee said the forecast was changing and inexact, affecting the response. But the National Weather Service and meteorologists have said the forecast was early and unambiguous – snow was coming, get prepared. We look at these claims to determine who's right.
- ROADS – A rise in temperatures is expected to finally make Atlanta roads passable later today and for the Friday morning commute.
