Georgia Gov. Kemp declares statewide State of Emergency ahead of winter weather, effective through Jan. 14

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp today declared a statewide State of Emergency, effective immediately through Tuesday, Jan. 14, in preparation for the approaching winter storm expected to impact Georgia beginning this Friday. 

Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order prohibits price gouging; suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities; and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.

The State of Emergency authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. GEMA/HS, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), and other state agencies are instructed to provide essential personnel to the SOC, which will move to a Level 2 Activation beginning tonight at 7 p.m.

“The Georgia Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety, began treating roads early this morning to prepare for the approaching winter storm, and I’m asking all Georgians to help them do their jobs by limiting travel as much as possible in the coming days,” said Gov. Kemp. “Hazardous conditions, including ice and snow, can develop quickly and make travel very dangerous. Plan ahead and stay tuned to updates from state and local officials to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe while our first responders continue to work tirelessly throughout this weather event.”

Current Weather Forecast:

• A significant winter weather event will unfold across North and Central Georgia tomorrow with impacts lingering into Saturday.
• A mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow will begin to move into western Georgia by sunrise on Friday, overspreading much of North and Central Georgia throughout the morning.
• This wintry mix will continue through Friday afternoon and evening before diminishing early Saturday morning.The greatest impacts are expected along and north of the I-20 Corridor, although snow and/or ice accumulations are possible as far south as Columbus and Macon.
• A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for 59 counties for Friday morning through Saturday morning.This Watch will be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning or a Winter Weather Advisory this afternoon and could be expanded to include more counties in Central Georgia.
• Snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are forecast for North Georgia with up to 2 inches of snow and sleet in Metro Atlanta and points to the east. Ice accumulations of one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch will also be possible in the Watch/Warning area.
• Counties in Central Georgia placed under a Winter Weather Advisory should expect lesser amounts but enough to still cause inconveniences.
• Travel conditions will deteriorate with the onset of wintry precipitation Friday morning, and roads may remain hazardous on Saturday. Temperatures will be near or below freezing between the onset of wintry precipitation Friday morning all the way through sunset on Saturday.
• With winds increasing on Saturday, any remaining snow and ice could bring down trees and powerlines.
• Temperatures will drop into the lower 20s on Saturday night across North and Central Georgia, so any remaining moisture will refreeze by Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon temperatures should reach the 40s.
• Please make final preparations today before the precipitation moves in tomorrow morning.
• As always, stay tuned to forecast updates from your local National Weather Service office and reliable media outlets.