Officials say icy conditions on the roads caused several crashes Saturday night.
[THE LATEST: Freezing fog makes for dangerous road conditions Sunday]
All lanes of I-985 were shut down briefly after ice and fog caused a multi-vehicle crash near exit 20.
Later, emergency crews responded to an 8-vehicle crash near Friendship road along the same stretch of highway. Hall County EMS said Sunday that the cause of the crash is believed to have been ice.
TRAVEL ADVISORY, Hall Co.: Ice being reported on both sides of I-985 - especially from Queen City Pkwy/SR-60 (exit 20) to Athens Hwy/SR-11 (exit 22). BE CAREFUL! GO SLOW! https://t.co/1kMbHpckFO #ATLTraffic
— Triple Team Traffic (@WSBTraffic) February 9, 2020
Emergency crews responded to a fatal crash on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway Saturday night but it was unclear if it was weather-related.
Avoid I-985 NB at Exit 20.....multiple vehicle accident, limited visibility due to fog...@COGPolice
— Hall County EMA/HS (@hallcountyema) February 9, 2020
Channel 2′s Audrey Washington was in Jackson County, where crews are working around the clock to salt roads.
Georgia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Natalie Dale urged drivers Saturday to stay off the road so they can to allow crews to do their job.
“Any moisture left on the road will refreeze tonight,” she said. “We want to get as much of that off the road as possible.”
Crews treated roads on all counties north from I-20 in the advisory area.
Earlier Saturday, multiple police departments across the state urged drivers to stay off the roads.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that roads are closed in the county because of the winter weather.
East Cherokee Dr is shut down at Hwy 5 (Ball Ground side) and Cumming Hwy. pic.twitter.com/9ihZWv2Ayf
— Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (@CherokeeSO) February 8, 2020
Road conditions on Highway 108 near Lake Arrowhead are deteriorating rapidly. Please stay off these roadways if possible. pic.twitter.com/SwX9nER2rp
— Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (@CherokeeSO) February 8, 2020
The Duluth Police Department also asked people to stay off the roads -- but with a little more sass.
Snow Day in Duluth! You know the drill. We say the roads are getting slick, tell you to stay home, most of you do, some of you can’t, some of you like to slide around to pick up Cheetos at the gas station. It is what it is. #SnowDay #NoMoreBreadAndMilk pic.twitter.com/pFsf28ciWT
— Duluth Police Dept (@DuluthGAPolice) February 8, 2020
In Lumpkin County, the sheriff’s office says there were numerous abandoned vehicles along the roads Saturday.
Please be advise the LCSO is experiencing a HIGH volume of calls for accidents. Please stay off the roadways unless it is an emergency. The Road Dept and GDOT will be able to treat the roads in a much more efficient manner, if no one is on the road.
— Lumpkin Co. Sheriff (@LumpkinCountySO) February 8, 2020
Sheriff Stacy M. Jarrard pic.twitter.com/uXcpFeZ2Vg
Burnt Stand, S. Chestatee, Hwy 52 W, Red Oak Flats, Hwy 400....we have numerous abandoned vehicles on the roadway. Please stay home and off the roadways. (2/2)
— Lumpkin Co. Sheriff (@LumpkinCountySO) February 8, 2020
Gilmer County has opened a warming shelter for those who can’t get back to their homes because of road conditions.
Other police departments are warning that roads closed because of the accumulating snow. Some bridges iced over.
Encore bridge over 400 has actual ice. We all know ice is a game changer. #BeSafeAlpharetta pic.twitter.com/IYHgxN9pPT
— AlpharettaPublicSafety (@AlpharettaDPS) February 8, 2020
*****UPDATE***** At this time, GDOT is NOT REPORTING ANY ROAD CLOSURES FOR STATE ROUTES. Please continue to stay home...
Posted by Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday, February 8, 2020
Sandy Springs Alerts: Northridge and Roswell Closed due to accumulating snow
— Sandy Springs Police (@SandySprings_PD) February 8, 2020
No matter where you are in metro Atlanta or north Georgia, please stay safe. If you do not need to get on the roads, stay home and enjoy the beautiful snow.
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