Georgia DOT Urges Avoid All Travel Until Tuesday

12:20 pm Mon. Jan. 10: A winter storm warning is in effect through Monday evening for all of north and central Georgia. Extremely hazardous driving conditions, major accidents, and impassable roads have been reported throughout the warning area. Motorists are urged to AVOID ALL TRAVEL until at least Tuesday.

Source:  Georgia DOT

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Georgia Power Urges Customers to Prepare for Winter Storms

/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power has crews on standby statewide, as well as mutual-assistance crews from around the country en-route, to mobilize and restore power outages caused by the anticipated winter storm.

The company urges its customers to have their emergency plans in place as there may be lengthy delays in power restoration if severe weather coats ice on roads, tree limbs and power lines.

To learn more about how ice and snow can interrupt power, visit our website to watch an interactive video. Major outage information will be available on Twitter, @georgiapower.

Here are some safety tips for customers to follow when severe weather hits:

* Anyone with a life-threatening medical emergency should dial 9-1-1.

* Always avoid downed power lines. Any downed line should be considered energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed lines immediately to local public safety authorities and stay out of the immediate area.

* Avoid debris on the ground that may conceal downed power lines and make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play. Do not attempt to make repairs to Georgia Power's electrical system or pull limbs off lines.

* Watch out for falling trees, tree limbs and power lines.

* Steer clear of Georgia Power crew work areas. Equipment and energized lines may be in the area that could create a safety hazard.

* When driving, watch for crews working along the roadways, and obey all traffic signs and directions around work areas.

* When leaving your home and power is off, turn off the main breaker as a precaution to avoid a power surge once the power is restored.

* Be patient. When major outages occur, Georgia Power crews must first restore power to transmission lines and distribution circuits before working on distribution lines that feed directly to homes and businesses. However, be assured that Georgia Power crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to customers.

* Customers are reminded to be careful when using portable heaters or other supplemental heating. Never place heaters near flammable materials or where they might tip over. Use fire screens to prevent sparks and embers from causing problems.

* Customers should exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects and never leave them burning unattended. Make sure flashlights have fresh batteries.

If the weather interrupts electrical service, customers are urged to report outages by visiting our website, www.georgiapower.com or by calling the Customer Care Center at 1-888-891-0938. This line is answered by an automated system designed to handle power outage calls quicker than speaking to a person; however, customers may also talk directly with a customer service representative.

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Cheer on Special Olympics Athletes Competing at State Indoor Winter Games in Cobb County Jan. 15-17

/PRNewswire/ -- Athletes from all over Georgia will compete in Special Olympics Georgia's State Indoor Winter Games, sponsored by Stadion Money Management, in Cobb County this weekend.

The games mark the first event of Special Olympics Georgia's 40th anniversary. The organization has grown from 500 athletes in 1970 to nearly 23,000 today. Special Olympics will debut red and white scarves knitted by the community. Next year, the organization aims to give every athlete a scarf.

More than 2,000 participants from all over Georgia will compete Jan. 15-17 at various locations in Cobb County. Athletes will compete in basketball, bowling, floor hockey, power lifting, artistic gymnastics and roller skating.

The games, which are free and open to the public, begin Friday morning with basketball competitions at Smyrna Community Center and Opening Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. at Cobb Civic Center in Marietta. Grand Marshalls are Kennesaw State University athletes and Doc Shaw of Disney's Suite Life on Deck and Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

Competitions will continue Saturday and Sunday at various locations, including AMF Marietta Lanes, Brunswick Zone, Marietta Middle School, and Cobb County Civic Center. The full schedule is available at www.SpecialOlympicsGA.org.

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Winter Weather Advisory Issued by the National Weather Service

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT EST THURSDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT EST THURSDAY NIGHT.

* TIMING: ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL BEGINNING AROUND MID AFTERNOON ON THURSDAY...AND CONTINUING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING.

* ACCUMULATIONS: ONE HALF TO TWO INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE BY LATE THURSDAY EVENING.

* IMPACTS: SNOW...SLEET OR ICE ON ROADWAYS WILL MAKING DRIVING EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS...ESPECIALLY BY THURSDAY EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING...BUT ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT. DRIVING AND WALKING MAY BE DIFFICULT ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS AND SIDEWALKS. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND PATCHY ICE AS RAINS AND MELTED SNOW REFREEZE ON ROADS AND SIDEWALKS BY THURSDAY EVENING. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...SLOW DOWN AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION.

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AT&T Offers Winter Storm Tips for Georgians

Editor's Note: Brrrr... The chill is on. Here are some great tips as Georgia looks at continuing cold and winter storm weather over the next few days.

/PRNewswire/ -- With freezing temperatures and an expected forecast of snow across metro Atlanta and Coastal, Middle and Southern Georgia this week, AT&T* is providing important communications tips for use before, during and after a storm.

AT&T realizes the important role that communications plays in an emergency situation, and has invested millions of dollars to toughen its networks and further bolster its disaster recovery capabilities. AT&T is committed to keeping its customers connected, and has taken steps to ensure its wireless networks are ready.

AT&T Winter Storm Tips:

Have a family communications plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain that all family members know whom to contact if they become separated. Most important, practice your emergency plan in advance.

Use text messaging. During a peak emergency situation, text messages will often go through quicker than voice calls because they require less network resources. All of AT&T's wireless devices are text messaging capable.

Take advantage of weather text-alert programs. AT&T participates in a number of text alert school closing notification programs. AT&T's customers should check their local news websites to see if weather related text alert programs are available in their area.

Make sure you have a "Winter Storm Phone." It is a good idea to have a wireless phone on hand and at least one corded (landline) telephone that is not dependent on electricity in case of a power outage. Cordless telephones usually have receivers that require electricity, so they won't work if you lose your power.

Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum. If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates.

Program all of your emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses into your mobile phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.

Keep your wireless phone's battery charged at all times. Have an alternative plan to recharge your battery in case of a power outage, such as charging your wireless device by using a car charger or having extra charged mobile phone batteries or disposable mobile phone batteries on hand.

Keep your wireless phone dry. The biggest threat to your device during a storm is water, so keep your equipment safe from the elements by storing it in a baggie or some other type of protective covering.

Track the storm and access weather information on your wireless device. Many homes lose power during severe weather. If you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports and get regular updates on your phone.

Take advantage of location-based mapping technology. Services such as AT&T Navigator and AT&T FamilyMap can help you avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines, as well as track a family member's wireless device in case you get separated.

Use your camera phone, take photos -- even video clips -- of damaged property for your insurance company from your device.

AT&T monitors and maintains its networks 24/7 and conducts readiness drills throughout the year to ensure that the networks and personnel are ready to respond in a moment's notice.

AT&T's wireless network storm preparations include:

-- Adding capacity to the wireless network to accommodate increased call
volume.
-- Routine testing of high-capacity backup batteries located at every
cell site.
-- Topping off generators with fuel at cell sites and central and
field-level switching facilities.
-- Staging mobile cell sites and portable generators in safe locations
for their immediate deployment once a storm has passed.
-- Expanding the number of fixed power generators at our wireless cell
sites. These permanent generators are in addition to the battery
backup power that we have at every wireless cell site across Georgia.

AT&T representatives at any of its more than 60 Georgia retail store locations can provide additional tips for charging extra cell phone batteries and learning to text. More information on AT&T's disaster preparedness can be found at: www.att.com/vitalconnections

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

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DHS energy assistance program helps Georgians with their home heating bills

As the colder winter months approach, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will once again help Georgians struggling to keep up with the cost of heating their homes.

The agency’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will receive approximately $65.4 million dollars in federal funds, under the continuing resolution limitation, to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with their heating bills.

On November 2, 2009, local community action agencies began administering all available funds under state contracts, and homebound and elderly (aged 65 and older) households were able to begin applying for help.

All other eligible families may apply starting December 1, 2009. In most cases, payments will be made directly to the home energy supplier for gas, electricity, propane gas, wood, coal or kerosene. Qualifying applicants will receive payments of either $310 or $350.

To participate in the program, the family must meet a yearly income equal to or less than 60 percent of the state median income. For a one-person household, that would be $21,458; for two people, $28,061; for three people, $34,663; for four people, $41,266; for five people, $47,868; for six people, $54,471, for seven people, $55,709; for eight people, $56,947 (for each additional person, add $1,238 to annual income).

To qualify, applicants must bring their most recent fuel bill or statement of service from their heating provider. They also must have proof of income for all household members for the last 30 days. This may be paycheck stubs, a letter granting public assistance, Social Security or unemployment benefits. Applicants must also have social security numbers for all household members. Verification of age will be required for all elderly households.

Assistance will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program will close April 30, 2010, or when funds are exhausted.

For more information, contact the Division of Family and Children Services, Community Based Programs in metro Atlanta, by calling 404-656-2323 or toll free at 1-800-869-1150.

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Wetter, cooler winter headed to Georgia

There is a high likelihood that Georgia’s winter will be wetter and cooler than normal.

The exception will be Georgia’s mountain region, which is near the transition from wetter-than-normal conditions to the south and drier-than-normal conditions to the north. Temperatures in the mountains will likely be below normal.

Due to heavy September and October rains, soils are already near saturation. Streams that are usually at their lowest flows during October are at levels normally seen in March, which is the month that generally has the highest flows. Because of this, the potential for winter flooding is higher than normal.

The ocean-atmosphere system is currently in the El Niño pattern. This pattern is expected to persist through the winter. Following an El Niño winter, it is not unusual for a drier-than-normal trend in spring.

El Niño’s influence is especially strong in the southern two-thirds of the state. The mountainous region of north Georgia and middle and east Tennessee is a transition zone. Depending on where the transition zone occurs this winter, the mountains will experience drier-than-normal, near-normal or wetter-than-normal conditions.

While the outlook is for a cooler winter, this does not mean that cold arctic outbreaks are likely. The coolness is primarily caused by the increase in cloudiness. This means that the daily high temperatures tend to be cooler than normal. However, the nighttime lows have a tendency to be slightly warmer than normal because of the increase in cloudiness.

It is very rare to experience temperatures in the low teens along the coast and coastal plain during an El Niño winter. Across the piedmont, single-digit temperatures are very rare. The mountains rarely experience temperatures around zero during an El Niño winter.

It is not unusual for the middle or late spring that follows an El Niño winter to be drier than normal. Thus, water managers are going to have a difficult time regulating reservoirs for an expected wet winter, knowing that from the middle of spring onward there is a good chance Georgia will experience drier-than-normal conditions.

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