By Tayleigh Davis - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) - The first substantial snowstorm to hit south Georgia in years is on the way. That means many students will get a rare snow day tomorrow.
Albany could receive a couple of inches of snow. Some other areas in south Georgia might get even more. The Albany public works department is ready to hit the roads to keep them clear.
Roughly eight tons of sand sit in a public works truck. Director Phil Roberson says his crews are ready to spread it on the roads Friday if snow accumulates in Dougherty County.
"Friday night into Sunday morning we'll see icy conditions," Roberson said. "The bridge on Jefferson street will tend to freeze over. We'll take trucks out and sand bridges."
They tend to freeze more than asphalt because bridges are exposed to elements underneath.
Roberson says crews can spread two truck loads of sand on needed roads through out the county in about an hour. The sand adds traction to the snow.
Albany EMA Director Chief James Carswell says the snow is expected to start by 7:00 in the morning, become heavier in the afternoon, with the possibility of ice at night.
"Going into tomorrow night with temperatures dropping in the 20s it's more hazardous because of the ice," Chief Carswell said.
The combination of snow and ice is a reason for drivers to take caution.
"If you are taking a curve you may lose control and people will be looking at the snow but it's important to remember there will be treacherous conditions," Roberson added.
The treacherous conditions won't amount to the snowmaggedon our neighbors up the east coast are experiencing.
Emergency officials say if you're driving tomorrow and hit some ice, remember to steer in the direction you were trying to go. Don't over correct and most of all don't let go of the wheel.
The Department of Transportation has 300 workers on call and eight snowplows plus dump trucks and graders at the ready to clear area interstates and state highways.
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