GEORGIA, (WALB) - As Georgians prepare for another round of winter weather, the Georgia Department of Transportation is urging drivers to avoid travel, especially in areas expected to see ice.

While Southwest Georgia is not currently forecast to see significant impacts, GDOT officials say the concern is for people traveling north into central and north Georgia, where icy conditions could make roads dangerous.

“As the forecast stands right now, it appears this is going to be mostly an ice event,” said Nita Birmingham, a communications officer with GDOT based in Southwest Georgia. “We really want people to stay off the road,” Birmingham says ice poses a serious risk for drivers in the South, where most people are not equipped to handle those conditions.

“We’re not a northern state. We’re not Michigan or Wisconsin,” she said. “People don’t have snow chains or equipment to drive on ice. The best advice I can give is don’t drive on it.”

Crews deploying statewide

In preparation for the storm, GDOT has already deployed resources from Southwest Georgia to areas where they may be needed most.

Eighteen dump trucks equipped with snow plows and salt spreaders left from Tifton on Wednesday, heading to locations including Atlanta, North Georgia, or Central Georgia, depending on how the storm develops.

In addition, three debris cleanup crews are scheduled to deploy on Thursday, anticipating potential downed trees and limbs caused by ice accumulation. “When you get a lot of ice, you get tree limbs coming down and trees coming down,” Birmingham said. “We need crews on site who can quickly clear roads for first responders and emergency vehicles.”

Between 100 and 150 GDOT employees from the district are expected to deploy as part of the response, with most working directly on roadways.

A collaborative effort

GDOT officials stress that winter weather response is a coordinated, statewide effort across all seven GDOT districts.

“When North Georgia or Atlanta needs our help, we go,” Birmingham said. “And when we need help down here after hurricanes or tornadoes, crews from across the state come to us. We all work together.” Crews deploy with prepared “go bags,” containing essentials such as food, phone chargers, and supplies needed in case of power outages or limited access to services.

Tools for drivers

For those who must travel, GDOT encourages drivers to closely monitor forecasts and road conditions using the Georgia 511 app, which provides real-time updates on road closures, crashes, and hazardous conditions. “If the forecast says an area is going to get ice or snow, don’t go there,” Birmingham said.

GDOT says crews will remain deployed as long as needed and will adjust operations as the storm evolves.

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