The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kaylee Collins (left) and her friend Lana Anderson, both 9, crawl on their hands and knees rather than risk falling when crossing icecovered Pine Terrace Road in Canton while playing in the aftermath of the storm on Sunday.
Some schools still closed today; black ice a threat.
With temperatures expected to reach into the 40s today, Atlanta is creeping back to normal after a frosty weekend of closings, cancellations and accidents.
But as commuters return to work and students return to school, state officials are still concerned about one thing — black ice.
“We are still in prime conditions for black ice,” said Natalie Dale, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation. “We have been working for the better part of two days clearing interstates and state roads, but there is still a possibility of black ice.”
Dale said while the roads might look good on the morning commute, areas that are susceptible to shade and moisture offer the most risk for drivers.
“Things might look good and people might want to put the pedal to the metal, but they have to be very cautious,” said Dale, who is urging anyone who spots black ice to call 511.
Callers inside the city of Atlanta can call 311, although any call to the state number will be routed locally.
That might be worthy advice as thousands of commuters are expected to return to work on Monday.
Students in DeKalb County Schools are also expected back in class Monday and officials at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport said they are working toward returning the airport to normal operations, after hundreds of cancellations and delays due to the storm that hit Atlanta.
The worst of the storm-related flight cancellations in Atlanta lasted through Saturday, but winter weather elsewhere in the country caused other flight disruptions.
Southwest Airlines, for example, said travel to Seattle, Portland, Boise and Spokane may be disrupted through Monday.
Alisa Jackson, a spokeswoman for MARTA, said all services will operate on a regular weekday schedule, although there could be delays.
“We ask that customers dress warmly in the event of unexpected delays,” Jackson said.
She added that for additional information, customers can call 404-848-5000 or check MARTA’s Facebook, Twitter and website for updates.
But while travel seems to be on the path to normalization, life will not fully be back on track this morning.
Several school systems, including Cobb and Cherokee, have canceled school due to icy and unsafe conditions. Marietta City Schools will also be closed today.
Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County and the Clayton County school systems had not yet made decisions as of Sunday evening.
‘People might want to put the pedal to the metal, but they have to be very cautious.’ Natalie Dale spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation