Winter Storm: Cherokee Residents Urged To Stay Off Roads

CANTON, GA -- The first snowfall of the 2017-18 winter season has arrived in Cherokee County and local officials are reminding residents that while the snow and ice make for great photos, they can also lead to dangerous road conditions.

The National Weather Service early Friday issued a Winter Storm Warning for Cherokee County and much of northwest Georgia, as the area is expected to receive between 2 to 4 inches of snow through early Saturday (locally higher amounts are possible, particularly in higher elevations).

The snowfall has propelled the Cherokee County School District, Cherokee Charter Academy, local city and county offices, various businesses and post-secondary educational institutions to close up shop early.

"All Cherokee County School District campuses are now clear, with all students delivered safely or picked up by parents," spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said Friday afternoon. "We greatly appreciate our outstanding bus drivers for the job the do every day, and especially in inclement weather. We’re grateful to our teachers and staff for making early dismissal run as smoothly as possible. We also thank our students and parents for working with us to ensure everyone arrived home safely before conditions worsened. Please stay safe this weekend."

Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Sgt. Marianne Kelley said "numerous accidents" have been reported in the area, particularly on the northern end of the county.

"Please use caution while driving," the agency added on its Facebook page. "If you don’t have to drive stay home. If you are out driving please make sure you leave several car lengths of space between you and the car ahead of you."

It also warned drivers to turn on their headlights if they are out and about, as these conditions can make it difficult for motorists to see oncoming vehicles.

In Woodstock, the city has closed Olde Rope Mill Park to residents. City Manager Jeff Moon, who said minor fender benders have been reported around Woodstock so far, added staff has already started utilizing salt/sand trucks to treat the roads.

The city of Woodstock added on its Facebook page that Waste Management has pulled its drivers off the roads due to the weather. The company plans to resume service to anyone it missed at 9 a.m. Saturday.

If you were looking forward to partaking in wine and art while waltzing around downtown Canton this weekend, that will have to wait another day. Canton Main Street organizers have canceled the annual Art & Wine Walk scheduled for Dec. 8-9. A new date will be announced.

Canton police spokesperson Pacer Cordry said officers have responded to many vehicle accidents. Fortunately, none of those of those collisions resulted in any injures. Of course, public works crews are very busy with efforts to keep the roads clear. However, traffic congestion has made it difficult for these men and women to complete this task. Cordry did say all roads are open and "passable."

"We recommend that residents stay off the roadways unless absolutely necessary," he added.

As we push through the Friday afternoon and evening rush hour, the National Weather Service reminds us that slick and dangerous road conditions are possible, particularly on elevated bridges and overpasses. Of course, these conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout the day and into the night and Saturday morning.

You should also be prepared for some significant reduction in visibility at times, the agency said.

Images via Cherokee Sheriff's Office