Snow Day Open Thread
Decatur Metro | January 28, 2014 | 9:10 am
With any measurable snow accumulation there’s always need for an open thread so folks are share conditions, report closings, etc. You know the drill.
Atlanta’s current accumulation prediction seems to remain between 1-3″ as of this morning. Be careful out there.
Map courtesy of Weather Channel
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April 21, 2015 UPDATED: Tree Falls on City Garbage Truck; No One Hurt (12)
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April 27, 2015 My Parents’ Basement Opening Comic Book/Craft Beer Store in James Joyce Space (7)
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January 30, 2014 Atlanta/Decatur Road Conditions – Thursday (43)
I’ll start things off. A reader sent in this note from CSD…
“Fifth Grade Students on the Tybee Island trip will be returning today due to weather conditions. We anticipate their arrival around 2:00 p.m. and will send updates as we have the information. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we keep the safety of our students, teachers, and parent chaperones in the forefront. Thank you!”
Awww. I hope that isn’t cancelling a whole day of the trip which is always so great. Not criticizing, just feeling bad for the students and all the staff who put so much into the trip.
They did cut it short by almost 2 full days. Getting ready to pick up my fifth grader soon; I think he’s going to be a sad puppy.
Double awww. I’ll bet the kids would have loved being stuck indefinitely in snow on Tybee Island! (But I realize that the staff and bus drivers might feel differently!)
College Heights closing at 3p today via CSD’s Facebook page…
https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-Schools-of-Decatur/120877327995514
Y’all hold down the fort. Looks like my trip to Raleigh might last a little longer than I had planned…
My son is one of the ones on the Tybee trip that just got cut short. Preparing to pick up a sad 10 year old…he’s been looking forward to this trip for two years.
College Height’s Pre-K dismissal time for today is 2:15 so that parents can pick up siblings at other schools.
Do you realize the street value of this mountain?
Real snow!
Two dollars!
I’m ready. Where is it???
Wife says it’s snowing downtown (Atlanta).
snowmaggedon has begun
while i still have the chance i wanted to tell you i love you all, and am eternally grateful for your affection and kindnesses, large and small.
as i perch so delicately, so fragilely upon this mortal coil, with snowflakes battering my visage, i say, goodbye, farewell, auf wiedersehen to you . . .
So sad… what a waste…
If only Rick had gone to the grocery store as soon as the local news proclaimed the imminent deluge, he could have bought bread and milk and eggs.
He will be remembered…
Snow sprinkles at my house on Lucerne this very minute….
Very light Snow just started at 12:24 in Duluth , Iam headding home to avoid the other crazy drivers out their
Let us know when you get home safe, Zed.
White-out conditions on sweet Coventry Rd, 100 block…
Snow falls, gridlock ensues.
I-85 south was a mess, and now on a bumper to bumper Monroe trying to get back to Decatur.
Looking like it’s gonna be one of those classic Atlanta snowcations we get every few years. Tomorrow, maybe Thursday too, if we get the refreeze Wednesday night.
N.Druid Hills a snowy, beautiful traffic mess!
Ditto for Clairmont Rd, sigh.
Big snow, little snow
Little snow, BIG snow!
Lots of little snow in Johns Creek where I’m working today. Hope to make it home to Winnona Park soon!
http://www.farmersalmanac.com/blog/2006/09/22/big-snow-little-snow/
Ace is out of sleds, but expects to have some more by 3pm. The cashier said they sold 200 this morning!
just dusted off the ones we bought back in 2011.
Ace is out of sleds, but expects to have some more by 3pm. The cashier said they sold 200 this morning.
Ok, so the plan is shelte-in-place at Brick Store?
Or UJoint, or Imperial – all are fully equipped to handle your snowpocalypse needs
Yes, Wacky, you’re doing it right! That is my go-to blizzard pub.
Saw a car slide off the road at Ponce and E Lake. Be careful, friends!
Rex & Roxy’s just announced on Facebook that clients who can’t get back to Decatur in order to pick up their pooches tonight can call and let the staff know and they will get boarded for free.
I LOVE this Decatur business.
R&R completely rocks. Talk about great customer service. The owner, Julie, drew the short straw and is staying overnight with the pooches. A great boss is one who does not expect her staff to do that which she would not do herself.
If you drive, please remember to drive SLOWLY and leave lots of space between you and the car in front. Brake slowly. On some of the narrow streets, you wait your turn and let the other cars advance. Please don’t block intersections.
You’d think people would know all of this, but I just saw people running lights, blocking intersections, passing on the right and tailgating in downtown Decatur.
Decatur Library closed at 2p.
Also, from the city…
Decatur Municipal Court CLOSED tonight
For anyone with a court hearing tonight, please be advised that Decatur Municipal Court will be closed due to the weather. Please call 678-553-6655 to reschedule your hearing for a future date.
It is not clear yet if Decatur Municipal Court will be open Wednesday. Check the Decatur Minute blog (http://thedecaturminute.com) tomorrow for that information, and the latest updates from the city as the weather situation continues to unfold.
And from the county…
The rezoning meeting scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Maloof Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. has been cancelled due to inclement weather. All items on the agenda will be rescheduled to February 25, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. DeKalb County will advertise the rescheduled meeting in the next issue of the county’s legal organ.
In addition due to approaching severe weather, all other DeKalb County Government administrative functions have been cancelled and county offices will be closed at 2:00 p.m. today. This includes Parks and Recreation facilities, Senior Centers, Recorders Court, water billing offices and all after-hours business meetings. Public Safety and Public Works will continue 24-hour operation as long as circumstances warrant. County administrative functions will resume tomorrow with a two hour delay, as offices will open at 10:30 a.m.
CSD high schools are being released early – just got the robo call
The call I got was that students who DROVE would be released, but walkers and busriders would all be let go at the normal 3:30pm dismissal time.
The notice I got re: DHS said, “Decatur High School parents, we will release Teen Drivers and Walkers at 2:15 PM today so they may make their way home.”
Anybody seen any sand spreading around Decatur? Dekalb was out in force around Tucker and Chamblee about an hour ago.
I saw sand on the road just over the city line on Coventry. So that was DeKalb as well.
Yes, we saw a City of Decatur truck on Oakview and Adams intersection an hour ago.
I hope they hurry up on salting and sanding the roads. I just walked from home on W Howard to twain’s and both the roads and sidewalks were covered in slick, wet snow. Considering tonight’s low temperature… Remember to run your faucets.
Took me an hour and ten minutes to get from the Chamblee end of Clairmont to the Decatur end. Only saw one wreck, but it was a doozy – truck on its roof in a front yard.
I saw the same truck. It’s hard to believe I’m thankful for my 1.75 hour commute in this mess. There are accounts of people being on the road for more than 5 hours on Facebook.
Speaking of thankful, even though MARTA had its own problems today, my wife has never been so thankful to have a car-less, train-only commute as she was today (as was I). 45 minutes on the train and a short walk with an assist from me was a beautiful thing in comparison to what’s being reported on the news and elsewhere.
According to the robo call, DHS students who drive or walk will be dismissed at 2:15. Bus riders will leave at their usual time, but parents may pick up their kids before that.
I haven’t heard if RMS will release walkers early or not.
RMS is dismissing at the regular time, but if you want you can pick up your child early. I think my child will have more fun walking home in the snow than I would driving to fetch her…
Letting your child walk or take the bus is the safer option IMHO. Every car on the road adds to the hazard of our little snowpocalypse.
This is actually not a snowpocolypse. This is a snow jam, or a snow event that occurs during the work day, resulting in workers leaving their places of employment at the same time after the snow starts to fall, creating traffic jams of historic proportions. Refer to Snowjam ’82.
Yeah, that’s why I used the diminutive “little snowpocalypse”. I used to drive in conditions like this all the time in Portland, Oregon, icy road capital of the West (when it rains in Seattle, snows on Mt. Hood, it sleets in Portland). But I had snow tires with plastic chains as an option. And road sanding was routine like garbage pickup.
As of about 2:15 Clairmont on the “uphill” between the VA Hospital and North Decatur Road was jammed pack in both directions and very slippery.
Literally typing this from the expressway because I’m just sitting. I’m less annoyed by that than I am by what feels like WABE’s belligerent refusal to abandon classical for the afternoon and give a news update longer than 2 minutes that says more than “bad traffic.” Actually world news just started. Now I’m all caught up on Ukraine. Awesome. Now, back to sitting.
WABE’s insistence on all-day classical irks me regardless of conditions, but I doubt they have much in the way of resources to devote to local live coverage. News 106.7 was pretty good in the daytime until they decided to add that annoying talk radio guy in the afternoons.
Down with the Kimmer
Doesn’t 750 WSB go to all-traffic coverage during “emergencies” like this?
And to answer my own question while I can still edit my comment, it appears they do. Sean Hannity (and presumably also El Rushbo) preempted for traffic coverage. Clark Howard’s on top of it now.
It took me almost 3 Hours to get from Buckhead to Winnona Park–and Performance Today was outstanding. Google Maps helps along with other radio stations.
Spousal unit reports that it’s taken him 2 hours to get downtown from Cobb County…is still downtown.
Spousal unit is now home–safe, dry, & warming up! Took an add’l 30 minutes. Reports the snow is turning a bit icy.
How did he go, 75 south? I am giving traffic updates to friend trying to get from Galleria area to Edgewood…
Yes, he went 75S. Sorry just seeing this, Marcarolina–hope you’re home by now!
Lucky for me I was home after 2 hrs from downtown. My friend not so lucky, she is going on 5 hrs in the car trying to get back to Edgewood from Cobb parkway and 75 area…
Took me 2 hours from midtown to home (including quick stop for 12 pack).
Any sledding hill recommendations? It’s not sticking to the streets, so a grassy hill would probably work best. Cemetery?
as the city’s official Snow Mayor, imma go ahead and announce tomorrow’s school closing, plus two- for-one drinks at all our fine drinking establishments until the roads are clear.
continue.
I thought you were dead
these screaming kids won’t let the dead sleep
I know. Where can we put them?
I put one of mine outside in the yard in the snow and it worked for hours. We’ve gone through every pair of dry mittens, gloves, pants, and boots/shoes in the house but it was worth it.
Trackside is closed. The snow has won. I may move to Miami.
Stay away from Coventry into Emory.
Is it bad now?
Got stuck going up E Clifton and again on Coventry. Residents are pushing motorists up the hill.
Have a question for anybody who may know. I was subpoenaed as a witness in a case at 9:00 am tomorrow at Dekalb recorders court. This is actually the second time I’ve been there as the first time the defendant didn’t show. Oh joy. Anyway court closed early today and when I called they didn’t know what was going to happen to the 9:00 docket as they weren’t going to open til 10:30. So should I go there at 10:30 or just wait for new subpoena?
Here’s my totally unprofessional opinion. If the roads are nice and slushy-safe or clear, then go, knowing you may be going in vain. But if the roads are at all iffy, don’t go. Call in whenever they start answering again and say that the roads were impassable. The odds are that the case will be cancelled and rescheduled. Between staff, lawyers, judges, and jury members, so many folks won’t be showing up that it’s unlikely the proceedings will go on as scheduled.
Thanks.
Federal courts not opening until 10:30 at earliest tomorrow… May e local courts will take qeue from that…
I was going to give you some really good, free legal advice about how to respond to a subpoena. Unfortunately, I then realized that you are dealing with DeKalb Recorders Court. All I can say is good luck! Seriously, they are a mess. A witness subpoena SHOULD tell you which side subpoenaed you (state or defense) and give you contact information for them directly. If so, that’s what you do. If DeKalb is still sending out the old, technically not even effective, subpoenas without that info, there’s really nothing you can do except to try to call the court in the morning. Usually, if a witness does not show up, there’s no consequence (i.e., they don’t come hunt you down). But I wouldn’t take any chances with the DeKalb, um, er, I’m looking for a word for these people that won’t get me moderated again…
FYI, this is who you are dealing with: http://origin.11alive.com/CIA/276004/320/Surprise—Your-license-could-be-suspended
You might also be able to call or email this guy tonight for better, more current info:
http://sammcraelaw.com/traffic-lawyer-serving/dekalb-county/
Thank you sir.
Posted on WSBTV’s website:
9:39 p.m.: DeKalb County CEO issues state of emergency for the county. County administrative offices, including Parks and Recreation facilities, Senior Centers, water billing offices, Recorders Court and other administrative divisions will be closed Wednesday and report at normal business hours on Thursday morning.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/minute-minute-updates-winter-storm/nc5Dq/
From CSD FB : “There will be no school for City Schools of Decatur students and staff tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28. All schools will be closed. Please stay safe and warm!”
And robo call just arrived.
So glad school went the full day today (well, mostly) since tomorrow is cancelled. The roads are likely to be much worse tomorrow morning than they were this afternoon.
Could be bad Thursday too, if we get only a slight melt tomorrow.
My phone (it knows everything) says high tomorrow will be 33. So, “slight” would seem to be the safe bet.
Hearing from the wife (who left work at 3:30 and is just now at Claremont & N. Druid Hills) that North Druid Hills is shut down heading away from Toco Hills. Police have it blocked.
Away from Toco Hills west toward I-85? Or away from Toco Hills towards the east?
Sorry, just saw this – towards the east.
S’ok. My husband managed to negotiate his way home without my help. Boy, a lot of other people are stranded. Very scary. Reminds me of the ’93 storm. See the SnowedOutAltanta Facebook page. Need to be grateful that i am home, warm, with family.
Yeah, it’s crazy. https://www.facebook.com/groups/397839673695382/
Any idea on how long I need to leave my uncollected recycling on the curb? Should I bring it in until next week?
If it’s frozen, it won’t blow away. Just like with frozen pipes, it’s the thaw that could be problematic!
This is just a harbinger of the traffic to come for the Cobb Braves.
Spent 3+ hours this afternoon traveling about 7 miles, all in town on surface streets. The problem was not ice, it was idiots. Saw no accidents and it did not begin to get slippery until after 3:30 (and then only bridges), but every single intersection on Northside Drive, Marietta St. and Howell Mill Rd. was gridlocked because people have no sense. It was the biggest ball of unnecessary bullsh!t I’ve ever seen in my life.
The TV news people keep trying to make it all DOT’s fault but DOT can’t make people stop gridlocking.
It was as if everyone in the city said, “hey it’s snowing. Let’s go for a drive.”
Maybe letting everyone out of work and school early, all at the same time, wasn’t such a good idea… On the other hand, gridlock in the dark could be even worse.
Or maybe people could use common sense and not create gridlock.
Good luck with that! I’d rather be up in the Sierras on switchback road in a blizzard than in Atlanta when there’s any kind of precipitation!
Alrighty STG, my commute from Scottish Rite was 3 hrs 45 mins with a particularly cute Emory hotshot student sliding into my car for a fender bender. Main cause of gridlock was idiots blocking the intersection at peachtree, but I got to marvel at the male anatomy who could pee on the side if the road.
” The problem was not ice, it was idiots.”
Someone asked me why the traffic is so bad here over an inch or two of snow. I told them to imagine all the bad driving they encounter on a normal, daily basis, all the people who have no business operating a car even under perfect conditions. Then add snow.
Students stranded and parents frustrated after school closures: see AJC front page article online! School systems can’t win this winter! If they close and the weather isn’t awful, they’re criticized. But if they stay open and the weather and traffic turn out worse than expected, they are also in trouble.
I just got back and have 2 notes:
1. The streets and sidewalks are NOT cleared in any way. Where are the salt trucks they bought 2 years ago? Why aren’t businesses prepping the sidewalks around their areas? I did encounter some skidding cars on the way home; do not drive tomorrow if you don’t have to.
2. Thanks to the useless customers at the Decatur brewpub I was at that seemed more obsessed with crowding the window and hoping for a Nascar-style accident than offering to help an old woman spinning her wheels in the Church/Trinity intersection get out of the way. In 10 minutes of maneuvering, not one other person ever came out. Period. That’s how I define cowardice. I don’t want thanks or a medal; I grew up where you take care of what it necessary, no questions asked. These people owe everyone an explanation. Don’t get me started about how indignant they acted when it was over.
Does anyone know if the Marlay is open? Are the sidewalks icy? Thinking of strolling down.