Governor Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency ahead of an “Arctic blast” expected to hit Georgia beginning Thursday. Although snow is possible in parts of the state, in a press conference Wednesday Kemp and administration officials focused on black ice, downed power lines, and unusual cold.
“We also need to warn everyone that windchills will be near zero or in the negative digits by midday on Friday. Temperatures as we know it likely won’t reach 40 degrees across Georgia until Monday afternoon,” Kemp said. “Communities across the state are about to experience temperatures they haven’t experienced in a decade or more.”
“For this type of weather event, we’re more concerned about the wind and the cold,” Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director James ‘Chris’ Stallings said.
Officials described plans to begin treating roads for ice and preparations for power outages caused by wind — but the same wind might hamper crews from using bucket trucks to respond for repairs. Kemp also said he’s been in discussions to ensure propane suppliers can help Georgians heat their homes and chicken coops.
But he and other officials emphasized individual preparedness. Stallings said Georgians should have a kit to prepare for up to three days, including blankets, cold weather clothing, batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, medication, and special items for infants or pets.
He also reminded Georgians to check on elderly or disabled neighbors and relatives. He said Georgians should check their home insulation, including weather stripping and window seals, and if necessary, use towels to block leaks. Kemp warned people not to turn their heat off completely when they leave home.
He also warned not to use a cloth to insulate outdoor pipes but something containing styrofoam. Stallings said opening cabinet doors could help heat circulate in the home and warned about the safe use of space heaters to avoid fires.
“It may be very hard to get crews to fixed a down power outage until it’s safe to do so,” Kemp. “So we just want people to be thinking about that and be prepared, because we know, obviously with Christmans right around the corner and the rest of the holidays that are going on, weather is not at the forefront of people’s minds.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
