Forsyth County Prepping for Snow and Ice

CUMMING, GA -- Forsyth County is on the far southern edge of a winter storm forecasters expect to blow into the region on Wednesday.

But county officials say they’re prepared, in case the ice and snow possible over the next couple of days brings about anything resembling another “snowmageddon.”

“We’re right on the fringe of whether or not we’ll get anything,” Epifanio Rodriguez, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, told the Forsyth County News. “Right now, our plans are to operate as normal, but we have the resources readily available if needed.”

A hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service went into effect at 7 a.m. for Cumming and Forsyth County and remains in effect until 1 a.m. Thursday.

A combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain could make travel dangerous throughout much of north Georgia during that time.

Wednesday’s high temperature was expected to be 36 degrees, according to the Weather Service, with a 20-50% of rain, or freezing rain, throughout the day. Wednesday night’s low is forecast to again drop below freezing and precipitation is expected again both Thursday and Friday, making conditions uncertain for the next couple of days.

Forsyth County spokeswoman Jodi Gardner told the News that the county’s emergency management team “continuously monitors conditions and the forecast.”

She said the agency shares information with county departments and offices to “keep everyone apprised of potential winter weather that may impact the county.”

Forsyth County has five sand/salt trucks with spreaders and four of them have snow plows. It also has two motor graders with blades able to scrape ice-and-snow covered roads.

Gardner told the paper that if conditions call for it, crews will treat roads and bridges with sand, salt and rock.

Blake House, of Cumming-based Sawnee EMC, told the News the corporation isn’t too concerned about the next couple of days’ forecast.

“We don’t see anything impending coming up, but always be prepared,” he said. “Especially for those who need oxygen or life-support devices that need electricity, make sure you have enough backup in case the power goes out.”