Cobb DOT Preps For Winter Weather As Snow, Freezing Rain Expected Across County

COBB COUNTY, GA — As north Georgia preps for the possibility of winter weather this weekend, Cobb County Department of Transportation crews are preparing, too.

Cobb DOT crews loaded up spreaders and tested inclement weather equipment Thursday in preparation for possible wintry weather this weekend, according to a news release. Weather forecasters anticipate a mixture of ice and snow in Cobb County starting late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Black ice is likely Sunday night and Monday morning in Cobb and neighboring counties, according to a special weather statement from the National Weather Service. The worst of the winter weather is expected to the extreme northeast part of Georgia.

Read more: Snow, Sleet, Freezing Rain Possible For North GA, Metro Atlanta

Starting around 6 p.m. Saturday, Cobb DOT crews plan on pretreating select bridges, overpasses and known trouble spots across the county. DOT crews will man shifts around the clock into Monday to treat roads and respond to reports of trouble on hundreds of miles of thoroughfare, according to the news release.

“We wanted to make sure all the equipment is working and ready,” said Bill Limbaugh, a supervisor with Cobb DOT. “After that, we just have to be prepared to deal with whatever comes our way.”

The potential of hazardous conditions lasting into Monday has also affected the planned distribution of COVID-19 self-test kits, which was set for Monday. The county recently purchased over 60,000 kits to give to residents, but the weather threat prompted county officials to postpone any public event until later next week.

"We are monitoring the storm closely and adjusting response plans as needed. As the forecast has evolved, it has become more likely that a significant area of Georgia will experience icy conditions as part of the incoming storm system. Ice adds a level of complexity, as well as increased danger, for our crews and motorists," Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said in a statement. “We anticipate downed trees, limbs and powerlines. It is critical that motorists take this storm system very seriously and stay off the roads through the end of the event to give our crews the space needed to work."

Related: 60K COVID Self-Test Kits To Be Distributed In Cobb County