DeKalb County Prepared for Winter Weather

DeKalb County Prepared for Winter Weather
Roads and drainage, public safety and others on standby for significant winter weather

DECATUR, Ga. – DeKalb officials announced today the county is prepared for the arrival of Friday’s potentially significant winter weather. Residents are also urged to stay home and off the roads in icy or snowy conditions.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of staying off the roads,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Our crews can better prepare and clear the roads when there are fewer cars and congestion.”

County officials will continue to monitor changes in the weather and coordinate with DeKalb schools, universities and county facilities if early dismissal is required.

Roads and Drainage

The county’s Roads and Drainage division began preparing for a potential winter weather event in June. DeKalb has 16 sand spreaders, more than 1,000 tons of salt and 1,800 tons of sand to make the sand-salt mixture used to clear ice from roads. Additionally, the crew has 1,000 bags of calcium chloride, which is added to the mixture when temperatures drop below the middle twenties to help ice melt faster.

If workers are required to sleep away home, the division has 110 cots available for the employees who will work 16-hour shifts, if necessary. “Stay bags” filled with toiletries, socks and skull caps also are on hand for workers.

“We have put everyone on standby,” said Peggy Allen, director of Roads and Drainage. “We are putting crews together to be able to man the roads from Friday through Sunday. We are prepared.”

Police and 911

DeKalb Police personnel are on standby to be placed on 12-hour shifts if needed. Fleet Management is ready to equip police vehicles with chains should they be needed to navigate snow covered roads.

The county’s 911 call center is fully staffed and additional overtime operators are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

“We are coordinating with special operations to ensure 911 operators working during inclement weather have safe transportation to and from work,” said Dr. Cedric Alexander, deputy chief operating officer for Public Safety.

DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)

If necessary, DEMA will activate its Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate operations within the county and with external partners. The center serves as central command to support critical infrastructure, communicate supplemental needs to Georgia Emergency Management Agency and update media on road conditions.