Winter Storm Brings Down Power Lines In Milton

MILTON, GA -- While the sunshine peering through the clouds will help dry up the snow, ice and slush that's gathered on the roadways, officials in Alpharetta and Milton are still encouraging citizens to avoid traveling unless it's absolutely necessary.

Milton Public Works crews worked overnight to ensure primary routes are passable and are now tackling secondary streets. These plow operators will work to clear neighborhood entrances and "address any known trouble spots within neighborhoods."

You should note these crews will use discretion regarding interior neighborhood roads when clearing could result in blocked or trapped driveways that prevent residents from getting out.

"The warmer temps combined with our attention to known neighborhood trouble spots will help us collectively address this issue and get everyone up and going more quickly," the city said.

However, debris in and along the roads, including abandoned cars, remain an issue. There are also reports of low-hanging trees that could fall at any time and reports of downed power lines. One problem area is the Freemanville Road area where lines are lying across the road between Redd Road and the entrance to the White Columns subdivision. You should avoid this area and, of course, treat all downed lines as if they are live.

About 1,900 Sawnee EMC, 82 Cobb EMC and roughly 1,600 Georgia Power customers in the Alpharetta-Milton area are without electricity. Residents are asked to report any power outages to your respective service provider.

Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard shared a video message early Saturday to the city's Facebook followers, and the city noted on its Facebook page that "you should stay off of the roads as much as possible today as our crews and emergency personnel do their work."

Across metro Atlanta, Georgia Department of Transportation crews have treated more than 3,000 lane miles, distributed 172,000 gallons of brine overnight and have plowed and salted all bridges, ramps and overpasses.

"We will work diligently throughout the day in Northern Georgia in preparation for the low temps tonight," the agency added on its Facebook page. "Majority of our interstates are in good shape and we will be hitting I-20 West (especially Carroll County) hard today as it is one of our hardest hit areas."

Fulton County arts centers, libraries and recreation centers are also closed Saturday due to the weather conditions. Any county centers with Sunday hours of operation are slated to open Dec. 10, said spokesperson Darryl Carter.

Public safety and other essential services will continue. Crews are mobilized to provide transportation services in the City of South Fulton.

The Fulton County School System also said it's cancelled any activities planned for Saturday, including its Walk To Remember walk-through of the former Milton High School in Alpharetta. That will be rescheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

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