UPDATE: Saturday, January 7, 9:00 p.m.
EOC DEACTIVATION – As the evening progresses, things are beginning to slow down and Gordon Co. EMA is officially standing down the Emergency Operations Center for this weather event. All emergent calls for service should now be directed to the Gordon County 911 Center.Thank you to all agencies who sent representatives to the EOC to assist during this winter event.Thank you, Gordon County citizens for assisting us by sharing our posts with your friends and loved ones, and for your cooperation in our endeavors to keep you safe! May you all have a blessed and safe remainder of the weekend.
UPDATE: Saturday, January 7, 8:00 pm
Gordon Co. EOC remains open with minimal staffing as Gordon Co. roads continue to be dangerous as many roads have patches of black ice in areas where the sun did not shine on the roadway and melt last night’s ice and snow. The melt that ran to these areas only expanded the size of the black ice area, thus making night time driving very dangerous for motorists.
As most of the roads are mainly dry, those areas of black ice will remain through the night due to the sub-freezing overnight temperatures. Sheriff Ralston’s deputies and GSP are monitoring and reporting those areas of concern to the Gordon Co. Emer. Ops Ctr. and the request for GDOT to mitigate these areas is being made. GDOT has done a tremendous job with the Interstate 75 corridor through Gordon Co., but are now having to concentrate their resources to the state highways for these black ice areas.
Again, this evening is probably more dangerous than last evening in the fact that motorists are seeing the dried roadways and increasing their speed. Upon seeing the icy patches, motorists are braking too feverously and skidding off the roadway or into other vehicles.
We understand some must drive tonight for work, etc.; however, if you do not have to be out, please refrain from getting on the roadway. If you must get out, please continue to drive as if the roadways are completely iced over and be prepared for those black ice areas that are inevitably going to be there. When you encounter the ice, DO NOT slam on your brakes! If there are no obstructions, simply take your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to drive in a straight line across the ice. If you must brake, apply the brakes and release, apply, release, apply, release (a slight pumping action), until a safe speed is reached.
UPDATE: Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 4:30 p.m.
Gordon County roads and State Routes in Gordon County have much improved since this morning. Much of the snow and ice have melted and the sun and the wind have helped to dry the roadways; however, as the evening hours approach, the temperatures will again be below freezing and any remaining water left standing will refreeze. Coupled with those areas which the sun did not shine on, black ice will be a driver’s nemesis during the nighttime hours.
For your safety, we are asking citizens who are out and about today to complete any errands and return home before dark when black ice will not be visible until your headlights shine upon it, by which time it will be too late to stop or possibly avoid the ice.
Overall, emergencies have been very few today and we thank you for cooperating and being safe during your endeavors this date. The safety of our citizens is our priority as we continue through this first winter storm of 2017.
UPDATE: Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.
WARMING SHELTER CLOSING – The American Red Cross has advised the EOC they will be closing the warming shelter at the Calhoun Rec. Department at 10:00 am, due to having received no clients since opening yesterday at 5:00 pm.
Again, even though the sun has come out, temperatures continue to be below freezing and the roadways will continue to be icy for the day. Please refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary.
The EOC has not been advised that the situation at Hwy 53 just east of Scott Brown Rd. in Fairmount has been cleared. The earlier jackknifed tractor and trailer in the Scott Branch area is still blocking the roadway, to our knowledge.
Citizens should also be aware that the Gordon Co. Municipal Landfill and all collection sites are closed today.
The Gordon Co. Sheriff’s Office and the Gordon Co. Transportation Dept. continue to monitor our county roads.
UPDATE: Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 5:30 a.m.
Calhoun and Gordon County public safety department heads strongly advise for everyone to stay in and do not travel on the roadways unless absolutely necessary. Icy road conditions are expected to persist throughout the day and this evening.
Avoid Hwy 53 east of Fairmont near Scott Brown / Scott Branch. Multiple accidents have been reported at this location and the roadway may be blocked.
UPDATE: Friday, January 6, 2017, at 10:00 p.m.
Calhoun and Gordon County public safety officials took part in a National Weather Service briefing this evening at 9:45 p.m.
Gordon County is under a Winter Storm Warning through 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and we have already seen snow falling throughout Gordon County. Gordon County is also included in the 79 counties that Governor Deal has included within the State of Emergency.
The NWS has updated the accumulation forecast for Gordon County. Accumulation totals may range 2″ to 5″ and a possible accumulation of 0.1″ of ice. Any ice beneath potential snowfall will create treacherous travel conditions.
Temperatures may be below freezing from Friday night into Monday and could cause bridges and overpasses to freeze over. Refreezing could prolong into Monday morning. The windchill factors for Saturday through Sunday will range from 3 degrees to 11 degrees.
Calhoun and Gordon County injunction with American Red Cross has an operating shelter at the Calhoun Recreation Department. The shelter will remain open until further notice.
The Emergency Operating Center (EOC) is fully operational with all City and County public safety and public works agencies and departments represented. The EOC will remain open until further notice.
The Gordon County Public Works and Sheriff’s Office and the Calhoun Police Department are out monitoring the roads throughout the night.
The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office are out in their Bravo Units and Gordon County Public Works are out treating icy road conditions.
Gordon EMS, Calhoun City Police, Utilities, and Street Departments stated that have equipment and personnel on standby and ready for any needs that arise
For winter weather safety tips, please visit http://www.weather.gov/ffc/winterweathersafety
UPDATE: Friday, January 6, 2017, at 4:30 p.m.
Calhoun and Gordon County public safety officials took part in a weather briefing this afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Gordon County is under a Winter Storm Warning through 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The National Weather Service states that the snowfall will begin around 9:00 p.m. for our area.
The NWS has updated the accumulation forecast for Gordon County. We could see an accumulation of snow between 2″ to 6″ and a possible accumulation of 0.1″ of ice. The models indicate that we could see heavy snowfall in a short amount of time. Any ice beneath potential snowfall will create treacherous travel conditions.
Temperatures may be below freezing from Friday night into Monday and could cause bridges and overpasses to freeze over. Refreezing could prolong into Monday morning. The windchill factors for Saturday through Sunday will range from 3 degrees to 11 degrees.
Calhoun and Gordon County injunction with American Red Cross will open a shelter at the Calhoun Recreation Department 5:00 p.m. today through Monday.
Calhoun and Gordon County public safety departments will have the Emergency Operating Center fully operational as of 7:00 p.m. tonight.
The Gordon County Public Works and Sheriff’s Office and the Calhoun Police Department will be monitoring the roads and bridges throughout this period.
The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office has their Bravo Units on standby and ready to deploy as needed and Gordon County Public Works has their trucks equipped with snow removal equipment and rock spreaders. They have also pretreated county bridges.
Gordon EMS, Calhoun City Police, Utilities, and Street Departments stated that have equipment and personnel on standby and ready for any needs that arise
Georgia DOT has begun pretreatment on I-75 and Governor Deal has issued a State of Emergency for 79 counties, including Gordon County.
For winter weather safety tips, please visit http://www.weather.gov/ffc/winterweathersafety
UPDATE, Friday, January 6, 2017, at 12:30 p.m.
Calhoun and Gordon County injunction with American Red Cross will open a shelter at the Calhoun Recreation Department 5:00 p.m. today through Monday.
UPDATE: Friday, January 6, 2017, at 8:30 a.m.
Calhoun and Gordon County public safety officials took part in a weather briefing this morning at 8:00 a.m.
The National Weather Service will have Gordon County under a Winter Storm Warning beginning at 1:00 p.m. today through 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The NWS states that the snowfall will begin around 9:00 p.m. for our area.
At this time, Gordon County will see an accumulation of snow between 1″ to 4″. The Atlanta area to the northeast mountains around the I-85 corridor could see much more accumulations.
Temperatures may be below freezing from Thursday night into Sunday and could cause bridges and overpasses to freeze over. Refreezing could prolong into Monday morning. The windchill factors for Saturday through Sunday will range from 3 degrees to 11 degrees.
The Gordon County Public Works and Sheriff’s Office and the Calhoun Police Department will be monitoring the roads and bridges throughout this period.
Georgia DOT has begun pretreatment on I-75 and Governor Deal has issued a State of Emergency for 79 counties, including Gordon County.
Calhoun City Schools and Gordon County Schools will release early today. Please follow their social media outlets and websites for more information about school closings.
For winter weather safety tips, please visit http://www.weather.gov/ffc/winterweathersafety
UPDATE: Thursday, January 5, 2017, at 4:30 p.m.
Calhoun and Gordon County public safety officials took part in a weather briefing this afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
The National Weather Service will have Gordon County under a Winter Storm Warning beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday through 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The National Weather Service is predicting a round light rain/snow precipitation on Thursday evening into Friday. There is a chance of snow between 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. This will be followed by another round of snow late on Friday evening into Saturday. At this time, Gordon County will see an accumulation of snow between 1″ to 4″. The Atlanta area to the North East mountains around the I85 corridor could see much more accumulations. There is also a potential for more accumulation for our area.
Temperatures will be below freezing from Thursday night into Sunday and could cause bridges and over passes to freeze over.
The Gordon County Public Works and Sheriff’s Office and the Calhoun Police Department will be monitoring the roads and bridges through out this period.
Georgia DOT has begun pretreatment on I-75 and Governor Deal has issued a State of Emergency for 79 counties, including Gordon County.
