As metro Atlanta braces for an incoming bout of winter weather, forecasters are predicting snow and ice to potentially disrupt the weekend. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Georgia's Department of Transportation (DOT) is actively prepping, equipped with 1.8 million gallons of brine and a capability to produce thousands more per hour. The preparation is a vigilant step up from the 2014 scramble when resources were scant and countless commuters were stranded on roads across north Georgia.
Georgia Power is also on high alert, anticipating the challenges that ice and falling trees may pose to the power grid. Matthew Kent, a spokesperson for Georgia Power, stressed the importance of their smart grid, assuring that it could reroute power to circumvent outages wherever lines are compromised. "What we've been building for a decade now is our smart grid. We've been working to make sure that if there is a power outage that we may be able to re-direct power around where the breakage is in the line and restore power to people,” Kent told FOX 5 Atlanta. The company is poised to dispatch repair crews as needed to mend any service interruptions.
With adverse weather on the horizon, the Governor's office urges residents to prepare, recommending the stocking of essentials and keeping a safe distance from heaters to mitigate any risks. The positioning of equipment and supplies evidences the comprehensive approach that the state is taking to mitigate the impact of the winter storm.
Intensifying these efforts, the City of Atlanta has announced closures of all governmental offices with accommodations made for employees to work virtually on Friday. As reported by Rough Draft Atlanta, this is a precaution to ensure public safety. Residents can also expect interruptions to trash and recycling services, with bulk pickups being postponed to January 17. The Atlanta Department of Transportation will commence road treatments with brine starting from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.
In addition to infrastructure concerns, the wellbeing of vulnerable populations is a focal point. Warming centers are opening for those affected by homelessness, including specific locations for men, and women with children. Notably, transportation will be provided from the Gateway Center nightly to these centers, ensuring those in need have access to shelter and warmth during this inclement weather period.
