Hall County officials said Thursday that they are "prepared and poised" for a winter weather event that is forecast to hit North Georgia in the coming days.
2 to 4 inches of snow are possible across roughly the northern third of the state Friday afternoon into Saturday, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service.
“We have already mobilized resources for a potential winter weather event over the weekend,” Hall County Administrator Randy Knighton said in a news release posted to the county website. “Heavy equipment has been staged near busy roadways throughout the area and we have confirmed our stockpile of calcium-chloride for treating slick surfaces.”
Emergency Management Agency Director David Kimbrell echoed that sentiment in regards to the county's level of preparation, noting that an exercise was held in the fall to allow any department involved with severe weather events to practice their response efforts.
“As we do every year, county departments met several months ago to coordinate activities and discuss supply needs in regards to severe weather,” Kimbrell explained. “We are ready to actively respond to whatever the weather brings.”
Capt. Zach Brackett with Hall County Fire Services said that motorists are urged to stay off the roadway if possible, and that anyone playing in the snow should exercise caution.
“Unfortunately, our department responds to a number of falls and sledding crashes as black ice remains a real threat to the safety of our citizens in this type of weather,” he continued.
Brackett, hoping to curb the occurrence of house fires that are often sparked as homeowners fight off the cold, also outlined a number of fire safety guidelines that locals should follow:
- Always use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen when using a fireplace.
- Make sure space heaters have an automatic shut off.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters.
- Keep wood stove doors closed unless adding wood or pellets or when stoking the fire.
- Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
The release noted that any information regarding weather-related closings or cancellations would be posted on the county website, as well as on on Hall County’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
A media briefing is planned for 10 a.m. Friday at the Hall County Road Maintenance Department, where "Public Information, Road Maintenance, Public Safety and Emergency Management representatives will be available for comment on winter weather preparations and safety precautions."
AccessWDUN will also post the latest updates regarding closing, cancellations or delays, information that can be found here.
