Here’s the latest information we’ve pulled together late Thursday afternoon, as road crews begin brining work and citizens make last-minute plans and shopping for the winter storm:
THE FORECAST: The latest from the National Weather Service is calling for up to two inches of snow at least for Cobb County and the north metro area Friday morning, and anticipates up to a quarter-inch of ice on top of that.
The NWS on Thursday afternoon upgraded a winter storm watch to warning for most of north and central Georgia from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday.
A state of emergency has been declared across Georgia by Gov. Brian Kemp.
Cobb government offices and the Cobb school district are closed on Friday, and most businesses and organizations have cancelled activities on Friday and Saturday.
It’s expected that snow will come first, followed by ice/sleet/freezing rain or some combination.
You’re asked not to travel at all on Friday, as roads are expected to be extremely hazardous and road crews will be applying a salt-sand combination to make major roads passable.
Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze over first, along with standing water on and along roads.
Highs are only forecast to be in the mid-30s, as precipitation is expected through the late afternoon Friday.
It’s very likely that travel may be difficult on Saturday, as temperatures are not expected to get out of the 30s and will fall into the 20s overnight.
Sunday will have highs around 40 and partly sunny skies but there may be areas where roads are not passable at all, especially residential streets that county road crews may not be able to get to.
It may not be until Monday that road conditions are safe enough for regular local travel.
For more weather information, visit the NWS website.
TO GET PREPARED: Grocery and other stores were busy Thursday afternoon as shoppers stocked up on food and other items in the event of being home for a few days.
Have plenty of perishable food on hand, including pet food and water, as well as food that doesn’t need electric heat in case of a power outage.
Also keep on hand flashlights with fresh batteries, extra blankets, coats, gloves, caps and other clothing to stay warm should the power go out.
Stay tuned to emergency information via your favorite media outlets and radio communications and official channels.
Keep computer and mobile devices fully charged and turn on notifications for weather alerts.
TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: The following links are provided by Cobb County government:
Power Companies:
- Georgia Power: https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/external/default.html
- Cobb EMC: https://outagemap.cobbemc.com/
- Greystone Power: https://www.greystonepower.com/current-outages
- Marietta Power: https://www.mariettaga.gov/1179/Outage-Storm-Center
MORE: Important Links and Resources:
- Click here for the latest National Weather Service forecast
- National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ffc/
- Georgia DOT: https://511ga.org/
- Cobb Commute: www.cobbcommute.org
- Cobb Schools: www.cobbk12.org
East Cobb News will be updating the weather and response in the community starting on Friday.
To report weather damage, downed power lines/trees, or to send us photos of what you see, e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com.
Thanks and stay safe, East Cobb!
Related:
- Cobb schools closed Friday; Ga. emergency declared
- Cobb government closed Friday-Saturday
- Winter storm watch/warning issued for Cobb, N. Ga.
- Cobb government, schools preparing for winter weather forecast
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