GDOT: Downed trees posing a problem in many areas

GAINESVILLE- Perilous road conditions continue this morning throughout the Northeast Georgia Region. Georgia DOT is asking motorists to stay off the roads unless it is an emergency through at least mid-afternoon.

Crews continue plowing snow and spreading salt and gravel on state routes and interstates throughout the area.

In addition to their routine snow and iice remoal operations, GDOT crews during the night removed trees from SR 17 in Habersham County at Preacher Campbell and powerlines and a tree that closed Browns Bridge Road from SR 400 to SR 9 in Forsyth County.

Meanwhile, downed trees are posing a "serious" problem for GDOT and other agencies in East Central Georgia

GDOT says the extensive freezing rain that moved into the east central part of the state is causing dangerous conditions for emergency crews working in that area.

"There are trees falling on the state routes just to the south of I-20 between Madison and Augusta. Trees continue to fall under the weight of ice on their limbs and windy conditions, and in the darkness, our tree removal effort has become dangerous for our crews. We are concerned about their safety during the overnight hours," said Georgia DOT State Maintenance Engineer Dale Brantley.