Georgia’s leaders sought to present a unified front Monday ahead of the wintry weather threatening North Georgia, striking a contrast from the widely panned response ahead of the ice storm that crippled Atlanta in January.
Gov. Nathan Deal urged drivers to take caution on roadways that could begin to ice late Monday and early Tuesday, and he ordered an emergency command center to open hours before the first icy precipitation is set to fall. He also told state employees they could telecommute or work shorter schedules Tuesday.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said the city has tons of salt and brine at the ready to thaw icy roads and that shelters will be open across city limits for those trapped in the cold. He said politicians will press school administrators to shutter classrooms if the forecasts remain dire. Shortly after he spoke, Atlanta Public Schools and other districts canceled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday.
It was a very different reaction than the planning ahead of the Jan. 28 snowfall that turned minutes-long commutes into ordeals that stretched for hours. Deal and Reed faced criticism for appearing at an awards banquet as snow began to fall.
Deal said this time the state’s biggest challenge is to avoid overreacting to the ominous weather.
“I’ve always said that’s what makes these events so difficult,” said Deal. “Over-reaction has an economic impact, under-reaction has an economic impact. And that’s why we try to get it right every time … We know how difficult it is to be precise.”
Forecasts calling for as much as an inch of ice could knock down trees and power lines, shutting off electricity to residents during the cold snap.
“There’s a potential for catastrophic ice,” said Aaron Strickland, Georgia Power’s chief emergency executive. “I’ve been with Georgia Power for 35 years and I’ve never seen an inch of ice in Georgia.”
Deal ordered a state of emergency for 45 counties, including most of metro Atlanta.
More than a dozen transportation road crews have been shifted to North Georgia from other parts of the state. Department of Transportation Commissioner Keith Golden had this advice for drivers: “Try to stay out of our way.”
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