Public Safety Dir. David Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ga.—White County Public Safety Director David Murphy provided an after-the-storm assessment, following last week’s inclement weather.

“I don’t know if drivers realized the effects of the snow melt, causing a layer of ice under the snow,” Murphy said. “Salt and pre-treatment causing the melt, with temperatures being so cold, it froze as a layer of ice.  You cannot scrape ice off the roadway. This particular snow was dry in comparison to the snow back in December.  The snow was more like pellets than flakes and most likely contributed to the quick freeze into an ice layer.”

Murphy reported more than 25 motor vehicle accidents. Some included multiple vehicles, but only minor injuries were reported and none required transport to hospitals. There were also 14 reports of vehicles that could not move due to icy conditions.

Road closures included the west side of Westmoreland Road, Town Creek Road, Hwy. 129 south between Industrial Drive and Collins Road, Hwy. 115 east between the Habersham County line and Hwy. 254.

The White County School system was closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to icy conditions and wind chill advisories. Government offices were closed and delayed openings due to icy conditions.

White County Public Works Department pre-treated bridges and problem areas while spreading over 150 tons of material in response to icy conditions. All county fire stations were manned from late Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon.

Murphy added that no power outages were reported, no requests were made for made for comfort shelters and no fires were reported during the period.

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