Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed urged residents to stay home Thursday, Feb. 13, as work on clearing the roads continued, even as more winter weather is expected tonight.
“Please give us another day,” Reed said during an afternoon press conference. “I know you have cabin fever, but fight the urge to go out.”
Reed said more sleet, freezing rain and snow was expected this evening and into Thursday morning. “We need to get through tonight and see where we stand,” he said, noting he was concerned about falling trees that are weighted down by ice.
Reed expressed his appreciation for the people of Atlanta, the region and state for staying off the roads. He said heeding the storm warnings had reduced traffic incidents and kept people safe.
As for statistics, Reed said crews had treated 103 bridges and 105 miles of road. He said 64 spreaders and 67 plows were out and working and had spread 3,860 tons of de-icing material. An additional 1,500 tons was being brought into the city tonight. Reed said there had been 29 downed trees and crews were clearing them from the public right of way. The fire department had received 770 calls for service as of 3 p.m. 87 people spent the night at warming centers around the city, including Peachtree Hills and Adamsville recreation centers.
“We’ve had no serious injuries or fatalities in this storm,” Reed said.