Oglethorpe County officials are preparing for a potential winter storm this weekend.
The National Weather Service is “confident a major storm” will impact the Southeast, putting the county’s public works department, EMS and EMA on alert for wintry precipitation, including freezing rain, and possible power outages.
EMS director Josh Robinson said residents should have a plan in case there are power outages, including how they’ll stay warm and what they’ll do for shelter and food.
The forecast will become more specific and detailed as the week progresses, but as of Tuesday afternoon, the NWS in Peachtree City said the time and type of precipitation is unclear.
It, however, projects a 100% chance of precipitation and a low around 23 degrees on Saturday night, followed by rain and freezing rain with a high around 33 on Sunday. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation.
The forecast for Sunday night is cloudy with a chance of freezing rain and a low around 22 degrees.
The Weather Channel was predicting an icy mix in the Atlanta area and parts of Northeast Georgia starting Saturday night and continuing into Sunday.
Robinson, EMA director Douglas Spencer and public works director Adam Nation said they will take part in daily briefings from the NWS. Both Robinson and Spencer will provide information and updated forecasts on the EMS and EMA Facebook pages.
Robinson said he’s been in contact with Quiet Oaks Health Center and the Oglethorpe County Senior Center to see if they’re ready for power outages. He said those who rely on electricity for medical devices should have a plan to keep them charged or to refill oxygen tanks in case of a power outage.
He added EMS only has so many supplies and “can’t hand out to everybody.”
Nation said his crews are sharpening the blades on their saws and double-checking equipment.
“We will continue to fine tune a plan to fit the situation at hand,” he said.
Rayle EMC’s power outage map can be found at outage.rayle emc.com. Outages can be reported to Rayle EMC by calling 706-678-2116.
Georgia Power’s outage map is at outagemap.georgiapower.com, and outages can be reported by going to georgiapower.com and clicking on “Outages” at the top of the page.