State, Local Officials Clear Abandoned Cars
The Georgia State Patrol estimates more than 2000 vehicles were abandoned on metro Atlanta highways during the snowstorm. Now, state and local officials are trying to reunite owners with their cars.
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Several state agencies and the National Guard are clearing the highways. Karlene Barron, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Transportation, says officials are moving cars to two staging areas.
“If your vehicle was left on I-20 and I-285 Westbound, they should report to the West Lake MARTA station,” she says. “If drivers’ vehicles were left on I-75 or the top end of I-285, and the Downtown Connector, they were to report to the Mount Paran Church parking lot on Mt. Paran Rd.”
Barron says the effort will continue until 9 p.m. Thursday. After that, officials will tow cars.
Local municipalities are also starting to tow cars. In DeKalb County, Police Department spokesperson Mekka Parish says five towing companies agreed not to charge people.
“We have reached out to them to let them know no one should be charged,” she says. “However, if that has occurred, we will also let individuals know they will be reimbursed. To get more information about that process they can reach out to our permits section.”
Drivers need to claim their cars by midnight Friday.
Cobb County Police spokesperson Sgt. Dana Pierce says Cobb is following similar guidelines.
“If the police department, the Cobb County Police Department, called a zone wrecker to tow that vehicle out of the roadway, then the Cobb County government will pay for that tow,” he says.
Pierce says there’s no deadline to retrieve a vehicle in Cobb.
Gwinnett officials say any vehicle that presents a hazard will be towed at the owner’s expense.
The city of Atlanta is waiving towing fees for vehicles abandoned in the storm.
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