(Cleveland)- Most major roads have been opened up for travel from the weekend storm, but motorists are still being cautioned to be on the lookout for Icy road conditions, especially those less traveled secondary roads.
Even the major traveled roads may contain black ice spots that formed overnight as temperatures dropped into the low 20 this morning freezing the areas that may have melted yesterday. Those are in mainly shaded areas and elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.
Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing later this morning that along with the clear skies and sunshine should help clear up most roads in the area Tuesday.
Power Service
For several thousand homes and businesses in the area, the power is still out this morning. As of 6 AM, the HEMC Outage Map showed just over 24-hundred meters without power, that’s about 7 percent of their customers. Crews from SLEMCO in Louisiana arrived in Northeast Georgia on Monday, bringing to 17 the number of out-of-town co-ops assisting HEMC with its restoration efforts.
“We now have over 200 Coop partners and contract crews helping us with our restoration said Habersham Electric. That is in addition to the 100+ HEMC employee workforce. “The strong winds Monday did not help the situation but the company said we are getting things cleared up as safely and quickly as possible.”
Georgia Power crews face similar challenges.
Habersham EMC expects to have service fully restored to all customers by late Tuesday.
Georgia Power’s estimated time of restoration (ETR) is Wednesday evening, especially for customers in Rabun County.
Weather-related announcements
Due to the icy road conditions, White County Schools will be CLOSED Tuesday.
Habersham County Schools
Lumpkin Co. schools closed Tuesday
Tallulah Falls School, closed Tuesday
White County High School Basketball games scheduled for Tuesday, January 18th have been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 19th at the same times.
All campuses of North Georgia Technical Colleges will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, due to road conditions and continued power outages.
All University of North Georgia (UNG) campuses will delay opening until 10:30 a.m. today. Essential personnel should report to campus as normally scheduled.
In-person instruction will not take place tomorrow, Today, January 18, on the Young Harris College campus. Instructors may use distance learning for the day at their discretion. Administrative offices will open tomorrow at 10 a.m.
United Community Bank in Cleveland will delay opening Tuesday until 10 AM
Dr. Don Robbins Optometrist Office will be closed Tuesday
