DOT: Situation deteriorating; stay at home

Trees and power lines were icing in earnest at mid-morning Wednesday. Temperatures were hovering right around or just above freezing. By noon, those temps should drop to 31 degrees or colder., exacerbating the problem.DOT authorities say stay at home’¦DOT roads alert at 10:30 a.m.:With the threat of a ‘dire’ storm looming, Georgia DOT dump trucks mounted with snow plows and spreaders are treating West Central Georgia’s state routes and interstates. A mixture of winter precipitation is now falling throughout Central Georgia. ’This is a very dangerous ice storm and we strongly encourage the public to stay off the roads unless it is an extreme emergency’ said Georgia DOT Commissioner Keith Golden.  Crews are plowing and spreading salt and gravel on state routes and interstates throughout the region. Roadway conditions are treacherous. Roads in Butts, Henry and Lamar Counties are becoming icy but still passable. Do not travel in these counties ‘“ please stay put. Additional traffic on the roads will compound already perilous conditions.At approximately 4 am this morning, Georgia DOT crews began a systematic treatment and retreatment of area interstates. Latest weather predictions call for a ‘dire ice storm’ that could include extreme black ice; 7+ inches of snow across Northeast Georgia; freezing rain with up to 1 inch of ice accumulation north and south of the I-20 corridor; and 20 -30 mph winds which increase the threat for widespread downed limbs, trees and power lines. The Department is working with the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia (OAAG) to post advisories and messages on over 250 electronic billboards across the state. Information will also be posted on Changeable Message Signs in the metro area.  Georgia DOT continues to coordinate with all state agencies at the Emergency Operations Center and Special Operations Center which will remain active throughout this winter storm event.