Georgia government officials reflect on what they've learned since Snowmageddon

January 26th, 2024

In this aerial photo, traffic is snarled along the I-285 perimeter north of the metro area after a winter snow storm, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Tulis)

Sunday marks the 10-year anniversary of what was arguably the worst winter weather Atlanta’s seen in generations.

When the storm hit harder than expected, it led to school systems and employers to releasing everyone early. The interstates quickly became impassible, and hundreds of motorists would spend the next few days stranded on the highway with limited resources.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency worked around the clock to free them, says GEMA’s Lisa Rodriguez-Presley, who also shared her own experience at the time.

“They’ve taken proactive step to ensure that even if something like that happens and we’re not expecting it the roadways will already be prepared,” said Rodriguez-Presley.

For the Georgia Department of Transportation, it represented a watershed moment. Natalie Dale, GDOT spokesperson, said she’d just started less than a year prior.

“We cannot be confident because Mother Nature does not give us her game plan; what we are is prepared,” said Dale.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.