Reed, Deal Reiterate Weather Warnings, Urge Residents To Stay Home

“All of the information that we have right now suggests that we are facing an icing event that is very unusual for the metropolitan region and the state of Georgia,” Reed said.

The National Weather Service says freezing rain and sleet could blanket the region with up to a half-inch of ice overnight Tuesday, threatening to bring down power lines and cripple roadways Wednesday. The storm also promises to bring wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph.

The service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the northern part of the state and an Ice Storm Warning for central Georgia.  Fulton County falls in between the two warnings.

Deal Tuesday expanded the state of emergency he issued the day prior to include 89 of the 159 state counties. 

Electric utility Georgia Power is sending up to 8,000 extra workers to the region to deal with potential outages, many of which could be in place by Tuesday night.

Reed said the region will likely struggle to keep power operating normally as a result of the ice storm.

“We’re going to have a really tough time keeping all of the power functioning in the region, and that changes the nature of the problem that we’re facing,” the mayor said.

Reed said the city has opened warming stations and recreation centers to accommodate those who do lose power. He said the city’s 40 fire stations will be open to anyone in need of a warm place to take shelter, and correctional facilities will also be serving meals.

“There is no stronger message than we are in a state of emergency,” Reed said. “The governor has declared it, and we need to all act like that.”

Reed said people should stay off the roads Tuesday and in the coming days to stay clear of sand and salt trucks treating the roads.

The National Weather Service’s warnings are set to expire at 1 p.m. Thursday.