It’s Snowing in Decatur! Things To Know When It Snows

2014 photo courtesy of Nick

Here are some relevant snow/ice facts for you as we head into a potentially icy evening.

First off, Decatur doesn’t have any plows.  UPDATE: I forgot!  The city may not have a snow plow, but it DOES now have an “interchangeable blade implement”!  See this note from City Manager Merriss to me back in 2012…

We are purchasing an interchangeable blade implement that can be attached to the City’s backhoe to be used as a snow “plow” to clean major thoroughfares. In addition, the blade can be used year round to scrape and maintain other surfaces, such as unpaved roads. It will cost about $4,000.

A few years back we learned that DeKalb has two snow plows and eight sand trucks. They probably have a few more now post-Snowpacolypse 2011, but I’m sure they still don’t have many.  However, what Decatur lacks in snow chains it makes up for with dedicated and all around awesome city employees.

As such, here are the city’s stated priorities if there is a “snow/ice event” this evening/overnight, courtesy of The Decatur Minute…

• The city will concentrate on providing a usable travel lane in each direction on major streets and clearing sidewalks near MARTA stations.
• The city will work with City Schools of Decatur to make sure entrances, exits, and driveways at the schools are clear.

But this wouldn’t be much of a community unless residents weren’t also expected to do their part.

• Residents should expect to clear their driveways and sidewalks. It is unlikely that the city will be able to clear interior neighborhood residential streets.
• If you, or a neighbor, are a senior, someone with a medical need or someone with special needs, consider creating a safety profile at smart911.com. You can also contact Lifelong Community Coordinator Lee Ann Harvey, 770-652-8593, to be placed on the home checklist maintained by the Police Department.

That’s right.  If it snows, get out there, check on your neighbors and shovel your walk.

Also of note from The Decatur Minute, here’s a list of city businesses that are closing early today.  The trend seems to be that restaurants are open per usual, but stores are closing a bit early.  No late night inebriated shoe-buying at Sq/Ft tonight!

The Rec Center is closing at 5p today.

Bigger metro picture, GDOT has asked all metro Atlanta drivers to stay off the roads between 3p-6p this evening so they can brine the roads (mmmm…brine) before any snow/sleet/frozen stuff starts falling.

At around 3p, GDOT posted this message on their website…

Georgia DOT forces are now in full operation — applying brine and spreading salt and gravel materials on the roadway. A recent weather report from the National Weather Service forecasts the changeover from rain to snow between 2-5pm. With temperatures expected to remain above freezing until 8pm, Georgia DOT crews will apply brine on all lanes of all Metro Atlanta interstates. Once that is completed, crews will move to I-75 north in the northwestern part of the state.

GDOT says it has 15 brine trucks and “18 Plow truck teams (approximately 5 plow trucks per team)” around metro Atlanta.

So that’s it for the moment.  I never promised it was all-encompassing.  But relevant nonetheless.  For the most part.  Stay warm DEC!

…OMG, it’s snowing right now!