‘Historic’ storm ramping up as temperatures drop and precipitation increases (Atlanta)

AJC ^ | Updated: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014 | Mike Morris

[Pan_Yan]

The potentially devastating winter storm that forecasters and the governor have been warning about for days began unfolding before daybreak Wednesday as temperatures dropped to 32 degrees or below and began freezing the precipitation that returned overnight.

...

“All of the interstates, all of the secondary routes, all of the surface streets, are all iced over,” Arum said. “Where you are right now is where you’re going to be tomorrow morning, there’s no doubt about it.”

...

The number of power outages is growing by the minute. Just before 5 a.m., the number of customers in the dark was 2,000. That number climbed to 6,000 at 6 a.m. and 9,000 just 20 minutes later.

Repair crews made a little progress, whittling the number of outages down to 8,200 by 7 a.m., but by 7:30, the number had jumped again to more than 20,000.

[KC Burke]

Here is the map to watch. It is the Georgia Power map of outages state wide and local. Zoom in to find your area.
http://outagemap.georgiapower.com/external/default.html

[Gaffer]

I have a 5500 Watt Generator but haven’t spun it up in a while. I’m glad I ran all the gas out of it when I put it up. If I have to pull it out, I’ll have to wire in a transfer switch to my 110V gas heating system. Know how to do it, but not looking forward to it.

One thing I got 2 weeks ago is a Mr. Heater Portable Buddy 9000BTU propane heater. I LOVE that thing. Heats my basement up where I’m at my computer pretty good. I have the extension hose that allows you to connect it to a 20 lb propane tank. Got it on Amazon for $85 free shipping....

[Pan_Yan]

Usually bumper to bumper at this time I assume?

20+ miles of three lanes each direction. By 8 am on a weekday it should be standing room only.

[mware]

Just a word of advice from someone who went through 5 days without electricity a few years back.

Draw some water. Fill the bathtub with water. It will come in handy if your electricity goes out.

[COBOL2Java]

I spent 30 minutes rapping my pipes with a 4 oz ball peen hammer. hope it helps .!

Practice, practice, practice! Soon you'll be performing with these guys!

[Cruz_West_Paul2016]

we will all be looking forward to how this ice-storm is a result on global warming on MSNBC. Hope to see Al Gore finally “Esplain” the theories.

[petercooper]

You said wrap your pipes. Heh heh... (Beavis and Butthead)

[KC Burke]

Everyone watch for carbon monoxide gas when using your temp heaters.

I notice the Georgia Power map is not starting to show single outages with 800 to 1400 homes in a single outage. This is going to progress as reposts will begin to stack up.

[PeteB570]

5kw generator has been checked, extra cases of water purchased at Wal-Mart last night - making a triple batch of Chili for supper. Woodpile is covered and the fire place ready to go.

Added bonus - our greater neighborhood is near a main line and our subdivision utilities are underground. Most we’ve been out of power was around 18 hours.

We also have backpacking stoves that we’ve used for cooking.

And when all else fails - we’ll fire up the Weber in the backyard and grill some burgers.

[Pan_Yan]

Thanks for the link.

[KC Burke]

I have peeps in Roswell and in Decatur so I have my eyes focused.

The ice isn’t a problem in the Phoenix valley right now.

[albie]

In that case, I’d submit your picture to the local museum and call it “Ice = Peace and Quiet”.

[North Coast Conservative]

I was looking at the pics of empty shelves in Atlanta on cns. Even the red AND blue solocups were gone from the shelves. We have weeks of food set aside for an emergency, I would think that this would probably be no more than 5 to 7 days at most. Yes, I would tire of canned veggies and spam after a week, but think we could get by a snowstorm, especially one this late in the season.

Speaking of this late in the season, was talking to my son in law yesterday about putting taps on the maples this weekend. It is getting late in the season.

[real saxophonist]

That's a pretty amazing picture. I know Peachtree, and don't think I've ever seen it like that.

BTW, Mike Morris, the author of the article, is a friend. He's been with the Urinal-Constipation for close to 30 years.

Stay safe.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

"extra cases of water purchased ...."

You must have a well and pump, right? If I am on city water, it still works when electricity goes out.... right?

[tflabo]

One of our customers has an office on NE Peachtree. Also Atlanta is home to the global warmed The Weather Channel. Looks like a lot of overtime there for some on set.

[FreedomPoster]

Ping to post 33.

[FreedomPoster]

Generally yes. They probably have an elevated water tank and pumps on a generator.

[PeteB570]

No, we have city water but....

Sometimes during real bad storms the power flickers at the treatment plant and they issue a don’t drink warning for a little while.

The water battles are the size the kids take to school and drink around the house anyway so we stock up when bad weather threatens.

[Pan_Yan]

I can always tell when an article I post directly affecting the lives of millions of people (including thousands of FReepers) gets yanked off Front Page News because the system automatically logs me out.

Glad to see that tens of thousands of people without power and billions in lost commerce are less important that some former half term governor getting birthday wishes. Now that's Front Page News.