Crews prepare highways as Georgia, South Carolina brace for winter weather
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)- Georgia and South Carolina state agencies are preparing for potentially severe ice and snow as part of a winter storm that could arrive in Georgia on Friday.
In the CSRA, a wintry mix is possible Friday into Saturday for areas near and north of Interstate 20. A FIRST ALERT has been issued to give proper preparedness for potential minor winter impacts.
In Georgia
The Georgia Department of Transportation is actively preparing and coordinating brine operations, equipment, materials and staffing plans.
Before the weather system’s arrival, crews will apply a brine solution to interstates, state routes, bridges and overes in anticipation of freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow.
Brine is a solution of salt and water that can keep water from freezing.
“We’re just trying to make the roads and sidewalks streets interstates as safe as we can for everybody,” said Josh Gay, highway maintenance technician.
They’re preparing for what could happen.
Will Volk, G-DOT district 2 communication specialist, said: “It’s a process that needs to be done at least a day in advance.”
Here’s a list of warming shelters in Augusta to escape the cold
With the cold rolling in, Augusta is offering day and overnight warming shelters ready to keep you safe and warm.
A contractor will begin brining state routes north of Interstate 20 at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, crews will start brining I-20, I-520, state highways in Augusta and other key state routes as far south as Georgia Highway 540.
Gay said: “I don’t know if you the big ice storm of 2014, people were basically like stranded on interstates and highways and happened to leave them basically leave their cars to get. Just the people in Georgia got together and just figured that that was never going to happen again.”
G-DOT recommends you limit your travel on Friday night into Saturday morning and give crews space to do their jobs safely so they can also help keep you safe.
Gov. Brian Kemp urges people to keep an eye on the forecast and prepare ahead of the storm.
“Along with state agency leaders, I’m urging Georgians to stay weather aware, especially as they make plans for the coming days. Please make necessary arrangements to keep your family safe and stay tuned for more information as this storm approaches,” Kemp said.
Chris Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, described himself as “optimistically nervous” about the storm.
“I don’t want to be the boy who cries wolf, so I try not to overemphasize a storm, this storm is lining up to have the recipe for ice, simply for how cold the ground is going to be leading into this event,” Stallings said.
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As part of its winter weather plan, GDOT has 1,908 employees on call covering 49,525 miles on interstates and state roads.
Stallings stressed GDOT and the state at large is far more prepared for a winter storm, compared to the “Snowmageddon” of 2014.
Georgia Power crews ‘ready to help’ during winter storm
As highway crews prepare roadways for a winter storm that’s approaching the Peach State, Georgia Power is getting ready, too.
“We have much more infrastructure. We have a lot more trucks. We have a lot better understanding. We have a lot more equipment. We have the brine. We make it here in state. GDOT has spent a lot of money ensuring that 2014 does not happen on their watch again,” said Stallings.
Stallings said his agency and others will continue their preparations.
In South Carolina
Residents in South Carolina should monitor local weather conditions and continue winter safety preparations, state officials said Wednesday.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has crews mobilized across the state for possible snow and ice impacts.
“We want our community to know that SCDOT stands ready to respond to any winter weather to keep South Carolinians moving,” Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell said.
Crews are pretreating the roads across the state in areas that could see winter weather impacts. SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and give crews space to work.
Here’s what Red Cross says to do in a winter storm
State agencies and electric crews are getting ready for an approaching winter storm. And the Red Cross says you should be preparing, too.
As weather conditions deteriorate, people are encouraged to stay off the roads if they don’t have to travel and to plan their route in advance and travel with caution if they do have to travel.
The traveling public should be weather aware and stay tuned to official sources of information including the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, local officials and local broadcasts.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division says people need to stay informed.
“While it is too early to determine the exact timing and intensity of the winter weather, we urge all South Carolinians to be prepared and stay informed,” said South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson.
The agency said residents should continue winter safety precautions, including:
- Prepare an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Make sure your kit can sustain your household for at least three days.
- Be careful walking and especially driving on ice, including potential black ice.
- Avoid travel, if possible, especially during freezing conditions or overnight when temperatures are expected to drop.
- If it is absolutely necessary to travel during a winter storm, slow down, increase your following distance, and stay alert.
- In case of a minor collision without injuries, move your vehicle off the roadway and call your local law enforcement agency or dial *HP (*47) for assistance.
- Ensure family or friends know your traveling plans, specifically where you’re going and the approximate time of arrival.
- Check on your animals and ensure that their access to food and water is not blocked by ice or other obstacles. Shelter them indoors, if possible.
- Freezing temperatures can burst water pipes in homes that lack heat or proper insulation. Wrap exposed pipes or take other measures to insulate them from the cold, and consider letting your faucets drip or slightly stream overnight to help prevent frozen pipes.
- Keep alternative heating sources prepared. If you have a fireplace, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure your family knows how to use them.
- Properly vent kerosene heaters and keep electric generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, do not burn charcoal indoors. Charcoal fumes can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never operate a portable generator indoors.
- Keep anything that can burn (e.g., paper, clothing, furniture) at least three feet away from portable space heaters to prevent fire hazards.
The official South Carolina Severe Winter Weather Guide contains checklists and tips on how to prepare for hazardous conditions.
The SC Emergency Manager app is designed to help residents create emergency plans, manage supplies, locate open emergency shelters, and stay connected with loved ones. The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
For up-to-date resources, visit scemd.org.
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