Parts of metro Atlanta are still grappling with the issue of icy roads after Tuesday’s snowfall.
The Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security informed Channel 2’s Richard Elliot that their primary focus is on the severely affected areas located south of Interstate 20. They are strongly urging individuals to avoid traveling on the roads in these regions.
On Wednesday, Elliot visited Clayton County and witnessed a tow truck assisting a jackknifed tractor-trailer in navigating a treacherous sheet of ice along Anvil Block Road.
Keisha Dean carefully examined the car she had to leave behind on Tuesday night after it veered off the road.
GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry assured that the current conditions will remain relatively unchanged.
McMurray stated that GDOT is shifting their attention to the areas that have been most severely impacted, particularly in the southern regions of Atlanta, with a specific focus on Savannah and Macon.
With concerns over the potential refreezing of the roads on Wednesday night, authorities are urging drivers to stay at home not only for their own safety but also to provide the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) crews with ample space to effectively treat and clear the roads.
“Please stay home, stay out of our way and give us some time and we’re going to get this taken care of,” McMurry said.
During an exclusive interview, Elliot had the opportunity to speak with GEMA Director Chris Stallings.
Both Stallings and McMurry acknowledged that the swift emergency declaration made by Governor Brian Kemp played a crucial role in facilitating the transportation of essential equipment to the severely affected regions.
According to Stallings, their team is currently making efforts to rescue drivers who are stranded on various roads across Georgia.
“Anybody who’s stranded, of course, we’ve got blankets, water, MREs, snacks, things like that. We’re trying to get out there until we can get the roads cleared,” Stalling said.
GDOT follows a specific priority when it comes to road maintenance. The first priority is given to interstates, while the second priority is given to state routes.
Local cities or counties are responsible for maintaining smaller roads that are not state routes.