GEMA activates full-scale emergency response as destructive ice storm approaches

ATLANTA - The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) is moving to a Level 1 full-scale activation on Saturday morning as it prepares for what officials are calling a "rare" and potentially devastating ice event. Agency leaders warn that the strength of the incoming weather system could trigger widespread, multi-day power outages and make travel "impossible" across the northern half of the state.

Earlier this week, Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all 159 Georgia counties. State officials warn that this storm could be the most significant ice event in over a decade, with impacts potentially rivaling the destructive 2014 ice storm.

Timing and magnitude of the storm

Timeline:

Winter weather is expected to begin as early as Saturday afternoon and continue worsening throughout Sunday. Meteorologists note that while Georgia frequently sees "wedge" weather patterns, the extreme strength of this particular system and the amount of moisture involved are rare for the region.

By Monday morning, temperatures are forecast to drop into the teens and 20s, with wind chills potentially reaching zero or negative digits by Tuesday. These prolonged freezing temperatures will likely cause any moisture on the roads to refreeze, creating hazardous conditions for the Monday morning commute.

‘The clock is ticking’

What they're saying:

"The clock is ticking," state authorities warned, noting that travel will become "difficult to impossible" across much of the region starting Saturday evening.

Meteorologists predict the heaviest hit will occur north of the Interstate 20 corridor. Communities along the I-75, I-575, and I-85 corridors could see ice accumulations ranging from a quarter-inch to a full inch.

"That is a lot of ice that is going to do a lot of damage to trees and power lines," said GEMA Meteorologist Will Langston. He noted that the storm pales in comparison to last January’s weather and rivals the state's most significant historical ice storms. "It has been about 12 years since we’ve had these areas that have been forecast to have this amount of ice."

GEMA Director Josh Lamb and local officials are urging residents to be proactive.

"When you find yourself in that situation, there’s not a whole lot that you can do," Lamb said. "Be proactive and be prepared because what you do now is going to determine the situation that you find yourself in later."

State response and coordination

Big picture view:

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) will fully activate the State Operations Center (SOC) at 7 a.m. Saturday, operating 24/7 until the storm passes.

Here's what you should expect:

• Stay off the roads: Travel is expected to be hazardous from Saturday afternoon through at least Monday morning.
• Prepare for outages: A quarter-inch of ice adds roughly 500 pounds of weight to power lines.
• Stock up: Families should have a three-day supply of non-perishable food, water, and medications.
• Check the pipes: Residents are advised to leave faucets dripping to prevent burst pipes during extreme cold.

Key agency preparations include:

• Georgia DOT: Brining operations for interstate highways in North Georgia begin at midnight Friday and will continue around the clock.
• Unified Command: The Department of Agriculture, DNR, and Forestry Commission are operating from a unified command with chainsaw crews and ATVs ready to clear debris.
• National Guard: Up to 500 troops are on standby to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following the storm.
• Resource Staging: Blankets, water, and MREs have already been moved across the state to areas likely to be affected.

Guidelines for residents

Officials strongly urge residents to complete all preparations by Saturday afternoon at the latest. Here's what you should do, according to GEMA:

• Home Safety: Seal doors/windows, insulate outdoor pipes, and test smoke/CO alarms. Never use an oven for heat or bring generators inside.
• Emergency Kit: Stock a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, water, and medications. Include flashlights, batteries, and a way to charge phones.
• Pets & Animals: Bring pets inside and ensure they have enough food and water for at least three days.
• Road Safety: Stay off the roads. If travel is absolutely necessary, slow down and use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses.

GEMA reminds the public to use 911 only for life-and-death emergencies; for non-emergencies, such as fallen trees or blocked roads, residents should contact 311 or their local EMA coordinators.

Critical safety and preparation tips

Local perspective:

GEMA/HS and the National Weather Service recommend the following immediate actions:

Home and family

• Emergency Kit: Maintain a 3-day supply of water, medications, and non-perishable foods, such as MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat).
• Safe Heating: Never use an oven to heat your house. If using a portable generator, keep it outside and at least 20 feet away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Pipe Protection: Cover outdoor pipes and allow indoor faucets to drip to prevent them from bursting during extreme cold.
• Communication: Establish a plan to reconnect with family members if you are separated or lose power.

Vehicle Readiness

• Car Kit: Ensure your car is equipped with a cell phone charger, jumper cables, blankets, water, snacks, and an ice scraper.
• Maintenance: Keep your gas tank near full to prevent fuel lines from freezing.

Next steps for you

What you can do:

Monitor local updates by checking GEMA.org or follow @GeorgiaEMAHS on social media for real-time alerts.

For those needing warmth, Georgia State Parks have opened warming stations. Residents can find locations at gastateparks.org/alerts or by contacting local government officials.

If you lose power or heat, contact local officials or visit gastateparks.org/alerts for information on available warming stations. Even if you lose power, you can still get the latest updates and watch live coverage of the storm by downloading the FOX LOCAL mobile app on your phone.

What's next:

While the precipitation is expected to move out by Sunday night, the danger will persist. Temperatures are forecast to plunge into the single digits by Tuesday morning, with wind chills dropping near or below zero. Authorities warned that any moisture left on the roads will refreeze, creating "black ice" that is difficult for drivers to detect.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed the city has deployed 21 salt spreaders and 22 brine trucks, but echoed the state's sentiment. "The message is stay off the roads. Don’t take any unnecessary trips because black ice is difficult for you to detect... you could be sliding right into danger."

The Georgia Department of Transportation will begin pre-treating interstates at midnight Friday. Meanwhile, GEMA has moved relief supplies, including water, blankets, and ready-to-eat meals (MREs), across the state.

Winter WeatherGeorgiaNews