Be prepared, be safe!

Important information to ensure you and your family are ready for potentially hazardous driving conditions, power outages, and more.
 
Driving in Icy Conditions
We encourage everyone to stay off the roads during the storm. However, if you must drive:
  • Decrease your speed and leave three times the normal amount of space between you and cars ahead of you.
  • Brake gently to avoid skidding. If you wheels lock up, ease off the brakes.
  • Keep your headlights ON!
  • Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
  • Don't use cruise control or overdrive.
If your front wheels skid:
  • Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.  
  • As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and regain traction. As it does, gently steer in the direction you want to go.

If your rear wheels skid:

  • Take your foot off the accelerator.  
  • Steer gently in the direction you want your front wheels to go.  
  • If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You may have to steer left and right again several times to get your vehicle under control.  
  • If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
  • If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brakes. Push down steadily, and you will feel a gentle pulsing. (This is normal). 
 
Create a "winter survival kit"
Keep several days worth of the following items in your car and home:
  • Foods that do not require cooking or refrigeration, like bread, cereal, dried fruits and nuts - and baby food if you have young children.
  • 5 gallons per person of clean water, in case your pipes freeze or burst.
  • Necessary medications and a small cooler if they require refrigeration.
  • First aid kit
  • Battery powered flashlights or lanterns
  • Blankets
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Snow shovel
  • Rock salt or kitty litter 
  • Gas powered space heater  
What to do if your power goes out
  • Don't go near downed power lines.  
  • NEVER try to pull branches or other debris off a power line.
  • Don't touch anything a power line is touching.
  • Don't leave your candles unattended.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors shut - they can keep food cold for up to 24 hours.
  • Throw away food that has been above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours, or that has an unusual color, odor or texture.   
  • Turn off appliances that were running when the power went off - you don't want the stove to be on all night in case your power returns.
  • Unplug electronics like TVs and computers, so that returning power does not damage them. 
Portable Generators

Many portable generators have caused unnecessary deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning when used inside a living space.  

  • Always use a portable generator outdoors, away from windows and vents.
  • Never use in a basement, garage, or crawl space.   
  • Never connect a portable generator into a household's electrical wiring or attempt to restore power by plugging a portable generator into a wall outlet. This can send power back into a downed line, which can electrocute power company crews working on lines that appear dead. 
Contact information to know:
  • To report icy road conditions, please call:
    • City of Atlanta: 404-330-6333
    • Cobb County - 770.528.2600 
    • Cherokee County - 770.345.5842 
    • DeKalb County - 404.294.2900 
    • Douglas County - 770.949.2000 
    • Gwinnett County - 770.822.7400 
    • Clayton County - 770.477.3674 
    • Fulton County - 404.612.7400 
    • City of Riverdale - Refer to Clayton County 
    • City of Roswell - 770.641.3715 
    • City of Douglasville - Refer to Douglas County 
    • City of Sandy Springs - 770.730.5600
  • Report power outages to Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938  
  • If you lose power, Atlanta Police Department precincts will be open to be used as warming centers and to assist stranded motorists:
    • Zone 1- 2315 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy. NW Atlanta, GA. 30318 
    • Zone 2- 3120 Maple Dr. NE Atlanta, GA 30305 
    • Zone 3- 880 Cherokee Ave. SE Atlanta, GA 30315 
    • Zone 4- 1125 Cascade Cir. SW Atlanta, GA 30311 
    • Zone 5- 200 Spring St. NW Atlanta, GA 30303 
    • Zone 6- 2025 Hosea L. Williams Dr. SE Atlanta, GA 30317
        
        

The Atlanta Police Foundation encourages you to stay safe and inside for the duration of this storm.

For more information on the APF, visit www.atlantapolicefoundation.org
*Information and safety tips compiled from the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the National Weather Service and the National Safety Council.