As temperatures are expected to reach dangerously low levels this week, emergency management officials are advising residents to prepare for chilly weather ahead.
The Brookhaven Public Works department will pre-treat roads on Thursday, Jan. 9 in anticipation of a winter storm. Residents can receive emergency information through Smart911 and DeKalb County’s Emergency Management emergency notification system, CodeRED.
Dunwoody is also prepping for winter storm conditions starting Jan. 9, when crews will spread brine, a special saltwater solution, on major roadways. The city published a video on You-Tube with information on the city’s storm preparation.
Sandy Springs residents can visit the city’s Emergency Notifications website page for resources and storm updates. They can also sign up for Sandy Springs Alerts through Everbridge to have National Weather Service alerts sent via telephone, text message or email.
Tucker city officials have also announced their plans to salt and brine the city’s major arterial roads to slow the buildup of ice and snow. If necessary, the city will run plows on those roads as well.
The Georgia Department of Transportation services state roads.
Brookhaven Emergency Management Supervisor Sgt. Matthew Murray shared a list of tips on staying safe that apply to all metro residents.
Pets, plants and pipes: Pets should be inside, plants should be covered or brought inside, and hot and cold faucets should be left dripping when the temperatures drop below 32 degrees.
“Insulate water heaters and pipes, especially external spigots, and unhook outside hoses,” Murray said.
Other tips include:
- Older neighborhoods and homes are prone to power outages, so stock up on fuel or firewood in case the electricity goes out.
- Assemble a 72-hour kit to handle the initial brunt of a power outage. Add coats, extra socks, hand/foot warmers, blankets, long sleeve shirts, canned goods, a battery-operated radio, sterno canned heat, and disposable eating utensils. Collect extra batteries for flashlights.
- Minimize candle use to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
- Keep a few days worth of medication on hand.
- Add the phone numbers of older or disabled neighbors to your contact list.
- Check car tires, antifreeze, and other fluid levels. Update your car’s emergency kit with blankets, an ice scraper, snack food, hand/foot warmers, an emergency blanket, and a small shovel.
“Have a supply of rock salt or similar melting product on hand for driveways in case of an icing event,” Murray said. “Learn how to shut off utilities safely in the event of burst pipes or electrical failure.”
In case of emergency, DeKalb County has four warming centers open 24 hours a day until further notice:
• Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road;
• Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Drive;
• Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive;
• Exchange Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive.
During warming center activation, transportation pickups will be available to Frontline International according to a schedule published by DeKalb County.
• Chamblee Library, 4115 Clairmont Rd., Chamblee, 5:40 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Dr., Chamblee, 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
• Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Dr., 9 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
• Avondale Fire Station No. 3, 100 N. Clarendon Ave., Avondale Estates, Pick up No. 1, 6:20 p.m. to 6:40 p.m., Pick up No. 2, 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
• 2027 Candler Rd., Decatur, 8:40 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• D&K Suit City Parking Lot: 5239 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain,
6:20 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.
• 2724 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur, 7:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
• Exchange Park Intergeneration Center, 2771 Columbia Dr., Decatur,
8:40 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The city of Atlanta has a comprehensive list of how to prepare for the winter weather and also a list of resources.
• Warming Center Information
Warming centers to support residents affected by homelessness during extreme cold weather will be open 24 hours a day until Sunday, Jan. 12, at noon.
Fulton County will provide nightly transportation to the warming centers from the Gateway Center, 275 Pryor St. SW. Warming centers are at:
• Central Park Recreation Center at 400 Merritts Ave. NE
• Overflow Location at Old Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Lane NW
• Selena S. Butler Park at 98 WM Holmes Borders Drive SE, for women and children only.
