HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Winter Storm Fern has exited Georgia, but its impacts are far from over. Slick roads, widespread power outages, falling trees, and dangerously cold temperatures continue to affect much of Northeast Georgia as recovery efforts stretch into Monday and likely beyond.
A statewide state of emergency remains in effect as communities recover from the storm.
The National Weather Service has cancelled the Ice Storm Warning for the region but left a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 1 p.m. Monday, warning that hazardous conditions persist despite the end of precipitation. Roads, particularly bridges, overpasses, sidewalks, and shaded areas, remain icy due to refreezing.
Gusty winds, reaching up to 40 mph in the mountains, continue to raise concerns for falling trees and downed power lines, further complicating restoration efforts.
Roads remain dangerous
Emergency officials across the region continue to urge residents to stay off roadways unless travel is absolutely necessary.
“Although precipitation has ended, many roads remain slick and hazardous,” the National Weather Service said. “Slow down and use caution while driving. Watch your footing on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways.”
White County Public Safety reports poor road conditions countywide, with numerous trees down and icy surfaces persisting. Officials are asking residents to avoid travel whenever possible.
Power outages widespread
Thousands of residents across Northeast Georgia remained without electricity as of Monday morning.
As of 8 a.m., nearly 14,000 Georgia Power customers and about 19,000 EMC members in the region were still without service. Most outages are concentrated in areas hardest hit by ice, stretching from Lumpkin County through White County and into Rabun County.
According to the Habersham EMC outage map, 71% of White County’s HEMC members remained without power early Monday, up from 50% a day earlier. HEMC says more than 350 personnel, including contractors and mutual-aid crews from sister cooperatives, are working to restore electricity as conditions allow.
“We do know where every outage is and are doing our best to get to all of them as quickly and as safely as possible,” the cooperative said in a social media update, noting that restoration timelines may continue to fluctuate.
Hart EMC reported full restoration to its members in Hart, Banks, Franklin, Elbert, Madison, and Stephens counties. Blue Ridge EMC continues to report scattered outages in Union, Lumpkin, and Towns counties.
White County officials remind residents that 911 cannot report outages or provide restoration timelines. Outages should be reported at whitecountyga.gov/outagereport, and shelter information is available at whitecountyga.gov/shelters.
Rabun County: conditions deteriorating
Rabun County officials warned Sunday night that conditions were continuing to worsen, with additional ice accumulation, more trees coming down, and multiple roads remaining impassable.
Emergency management urged residents not to travel Sunday night or Monday morning unless it is an emergency, noting that non-essential travel increases calls for service and places added strain on already stretched public safety crews.
Officials also warned that overnight winds could bring down more trees and power lines, creating new hazards across the county.
Response crews are working around the clock as conditions allow, and residents are asked to report downed power lines or other dangerous situations while staying off the roads whenever possible.
A shelter remains open at the Rabun County Recreation Department, Gym #3, for those who cannot safely shelter in place.
Emergency responses strained
Sunday’s storm forced first responders into hazardous situations across the region. In one incident, firefighters were forced to walk into the scene of a structure fire on Welcome Home Road in Mt. Airy after icy roads became impassable. In Clarkesville, a fallen tree damaged a gas line, prompting an emergency response and road closures.
Community members and local businesses have stepped up to support first responders, providing meals and supplies to crews working in dangerous conditions.
Bitter cold adds new danger
Behind the ice storm, the coldest air of the season has settled into North Georgia.
A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through Tuesday, Jan. 27, with highs struggling to reach freezing on Monday. Black ice is expected to be widespread as moisture refreezes on roadways.
Overnight Monday into Tuesday is expected to bring the coldest temperatures of the season, with lows falling into the single digits region-wide. Even light winds could push wind chills below zero early Tuesday morning.
The prolonged cold is slowing power restoration efforts and increasing risks for residents without electricity.
What comes next
While no additional winter systems are currently forecast over the next week, officials caution that recovery will take time and conditions remain dangerous.
Residents are urged to avoid travel unless necessary, check on neighbors, especially those without power, use generators and space heaters safely, and monitor local news and official channels for updates.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
Check back here often for updates on closures, outages, shelters, and weather conditions and share your storm photos with us on our Facebook page.
