CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — We were there as workers in Clayton County loaded up trucks with a salt, sand and gravel mix to treat roads and bridges before the big storm arrives.
“We are preparing for what’s coming on Friday,” Interim Emergency Management Agency Director Phong Nguyen said. He said several departments are working to keep people safe.
Nguyen says the county will be focused on the usual problem areas. “As you can see we have ice melt, sand brine ready to go. We have trucks.”
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He found out police had snow tire chains for Crown Victoria patrol units. The problem: the county no longer has Crown Vics. “And so, we immediately did an emergency purchase to get these chains out.”
So now police and fire will be able to travel to emergencies because of the new tire chains. The county has opened a warming center to give people a place to get out of the cold.
“These are the areas where the women sleep,” Anointed Vision of Hope Pastor David Arnold explained.
The county is also partnering with the church and the organization Hearts to Nourish Hope to provide the shelter.
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Debbie Anglin with Hears to Nourish Hope says the people who come for a place to stay warm are not just getting a roof over their heads. “They’re getting clothes. They’re getting help to get out of being homeless.”
They are also getting food cooked by culinary students at Charles Drew High School.
Channel 2′s Tom Jones watched as the students prepared a delicious meal for those at the warming center. The students said they love to cook and why not share what they prepare to people in need “It’s an honor for us to cook for the people. To have them something to eat,” senior Geniah Williams said.
“I feel good about it because I love to help like the homeless,” junior Bryana Crowe said.
Meanwhile, Nguyen said he is keeping an eye on the forecast and will decide whether the county will need to bring in extra staff to deal with the storm.
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