ATLANTA — Governor Brian Kemp has declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of a new winter storm expected to impact Georgia this weekend.
The declaration is a separate executive order from the one issued on January 22 ahead of Winter Storm Fern. Kemp also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center at noon Friday, Jan. 30. The State of Emergency will remain in effect through February 6.
The emergency declaration will allow the state to more easily move resources to areas expected to be impacted and stage those assets ahead of the storm.
“While Mother Nature may not be giving us a break with these back-to-back storms, the good news is we don’t take any days off when it comes to keeping Georgia communities prepared and safe,” Kemp said. “Along with our state partners, we have been monitoring this new winter storm well ahead of its arrival and preparing for whatever it may bring.”
The storm will mostly impact north and east Georgia, extending all the way to the coast.
Unlike last week’s storm, which brought heavy ice and freezing precipitation, the incoming system is expected to deliver extreme cold and accumulating snow.
“As this winter weather moves into Georgia, we encourage residents to stay home if possible before and during the storm,” Lamb said. “Fewer vehicles on the roads give Georgia Department of Transportation crews the space they need to treat roadways safely and efficiently, helping keep everyone safer this weekend.”
GDOT has already begun pre-treating roads. Crews are brining more than 20,000 lane miles on interstates and state routes, prioritizing areas expected to receive the heaviest precipitation. GDOT crews will work in 12-hour shifts before transitioning to plowing operations once snow begins to fall. Officials again asked drivers to remain off roads beginning Friday evening if possible.
The emergency order also prohibits price gouging, suspends hours-of-service limits for commercial drivers involved in response efforts, and temporarily increases size and weight limits for vehicles transporting essential supplies.
