Winter Storm Cora brings cancelations, State of Emergency
**Updated since press time to include delays and cancellations for Friday Jan. 17**
Winter Storm Cora plowed through Rabun County and Northeast Georgia as well as much of the State of Georgia last week with snow starting to fall on Friday, Jan. 10. Many communities continue to experience icy conditions that prevent safe travels.
Rabun County Schools announced it would continue virtual learning on Friday, Jan. 17.
"After checking bus routes today, we found that 58 percent of our bus routes are still unsafe for school buses or student drivers," according to a post from Rabun County Schools Thursday afternoon.
"With temperatures expected to drop below freezing again tonight, leading to refreezing and hazardous road conditions, Rabun County Schools will hold a virtual learning day on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. While we understand the importance of having students in our school, their safety remains our top priority," according to the post.
All employees were directed to report to work at 10 a.m. or as soon as it is safe to do so. Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Tallulah Falls School announced it would operate on a normal schedule Friday, Jan. 17.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., issued a Winter Storm Warning on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 2:13 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 11, at 7 a.m.
It predicted “heavy mixed precipitation” with “total snow and sleet accumulations between one and three inches and ice accumulations around two-tenths-of-an-inch.”
The Winter Storm Warning was issued for portions of Northeast Georgia, Piedmont and Western North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina.
The NWS predicted snow and ice accumulations would make any roads treacherous and impassable, as well as the weight of the snow and ice would be put on tree limbs and power lines.
Those predictions came true for basically all of Rabun County as power outages were reported and road conditions made travel dangerous.
Since last Friday, county and city governments, school systems and local businesses have announced closures daily due to continued hazardous road conditions. Afternoon activities and sporting events were also canceled.
Post offices were closed Thursday, Jan. 9, for the National Day of Mourning for former Pres. Jimmy Carter. When precipitation began to fall Friday morning, post offices closed early and did not reopen until Monday, Jan. 13.
During the three business days the post offices were closed, there was no mail delivery. Monday and Tuesday were met with limited delivery as well due to road conditions from the severe winter weather.
The entire county was impacted in some way from Winter Storm Cora.
“When the snow was falling, it was like any other ordinary winter storm. The problem became the extremely cold temperatures for the days following the storm,” County Administrator Darrin Giles told The Clayton Tribune in an email Tuesday. “Our EMS, 911, Road Department, EMA, department heads as well as the sheriff’s office worked diligently through the storm and are still working to make sure our community’s needs are met in a safe manner not only for our citizens but our employees as well.”
Anthony Lampros, the station manager for the Germany Valley National Weather Service Cooperative Observation Station in Rabun County, said the station recorded a total of 3.2 inches of snowfall within two days. It came in two events.
Lampros said the initial event on Friday, Jan. 10, brought 2.3 inches of snowfall. It changed to sleet in the early evening, but Rabun County didn’t experience freezing rain. The additional 0.9 inches of snowfall followed.
The Germany Valley observation station is affiliated with and supervised by the weather service office located at the Greenville/Spartanburg airport.
Lampros said the snowfall is measured carefully to ensure accuracy.
The measurement of 3.2 inches was the recorded number at the Germany Valley observation station, however other areas in the county may have experienced more or less snowfall.
Schools announce closures
Rabun County Schools, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, and Tallulah Falls School announced cancellations, delayed starts and virtual-learning days in the days following the winter storm.
“After assessing road conditions across the county, over 85 percent of bus routes are still impassable and not suitable for school bus travel. With temperatures expected to drop below freezing again tonight resulting in refreezing along many of the road surfaces, Rabun County Schools will again hold a virtual-learning day on Wednesday, Jan. 15,” according to an announcement from Rabun County Schools officials on Tuesday.
The school system announced it would close on Friday, Jan. 10. Monday, Jan. 13, and Tuesday, Jan. 15, were virtual-learning days for Rabun County students as well.
“Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will reassess road conditions on Wednesday afternoon to determine plans for Thursday. Any updates or changes will be promptly communicated through ParentSquare, our website, and social media channels,” the announcement noted.
In addition, all afternoon activities and practices remained suspended until further notice.
Rabun County Schools announced Wednesday afternoon that Thursday, Jan. 16 would be a virtual learning day for students.
"Due to ongoing winter weather conditions, many roads in our county remain impassable. Our district administration and the transportation department, in coordination with local authorities, have been monitoring road conditions daily. While significant progress has been made in road conditions, as you can see, over 74 percent of our bus routes are still unsafe for school buses or student drivers," according to a post from Rabun County Schools.
All employees were asked to report at 10 a.m. or as soon as it is safe to do so. The school system also announced it would ofer breakfast and lunch for all students on Jan. 16.
"Wildcat families, we're excited to offer breakfast and lunch for all students tomorrow, Jan. 16, 2025. Pickup will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rabun County Primary School for students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade," according to Rabun County Schools officials.
School officials asked that parents or guardians have the child's lunch number ready. For any questions, contact the Nutrition Department at 706-212-4350.
“The recent winter storm has undoubtedly disrupted not only our school system but also local businesses and county operations as a whole. The storm, combined with the ongoing cold temperatures, has necessitated decisions about school operations that, while not ideal from an educational perspective, prioritize the safety of our students and staff,” Superintendent Steven Cole told The Clayton Tribune. “Deciding to close schools before the storm arrived was relatively straightforward. However, determining when it is safe to reopen is far more challenging. Each day begins with multiple staff members, including myself, driving the roads to assess conditions. We evaluate every bus route to determine if they are safe for travel and inspect the school campuses to ensure they are ready for the return of students and staff.
“During closures, our team meets each afternoon to review reports on road conditions, the status of bus routes, and campus readiness. These discussions often include input from our county EMA director to help guide our decisions. When faced with the choice of reopening or remaining closed, my priority is always safety. I would rather err on the side of caution and make the wrong decision knowing everyone is safe than take a risk that could result in someone getting hurt.
“On the first day of snowfall during this storm, we opted not to hold a virtual learning day, allowing students the opportunity to enjoy and play in the snow. While virtual instruction is not ideal, it remains a viable option for keeping students engaged in learning when extended closures are necessary,” Cole said.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School announced school closures on Friday, Jan. 10, and Monday, Jan. 13. They had a delayed start on Tuesday, Jan. 14, with classes beginning at 10 a.m. The RGNS lower and middle schools had 9:15 a.m. for student drop off.
Tallulah Falls School announced operations on a two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 16 as well due to the potential for icy road conditions in the mornings.
Tallulah Falls School also announced closures on Friday, Jan. 10, and Monday, Jan. 13. There was a two-hour delay on Tuesday due to the potential for icy roads.
The Rabun Mountain Education campus remained closed on Wednesday, Jan. 15, for face-to-face classes. They had announced closures for Monday and Tuesday as well. Students were encouraged to work virtually from home.
The Foxfire Museum in Mountain City posted it would be closed the remainder of the week “due to continued safe traveling issues.”
County, city officials work together
Although many locations were closed and most were avoiding roadways due to icy conditions, county and city officials worked to keep the community safe.
Rabun County EMA Director Brian Panell said no injuries were reported during the winter storm. He commended the road crews for the great job they did and continue to do clearing roadways, as well as thanked everyone who took advice from public safety officials and did not travel on the roadways during the severe weather event.
“Although we haven’t had snow or ice in a couple of years, our team was ready. Ralph (Welch) and all the Public Works crew have been working on the equipment and gathering supplies in anticipation of inclement weather,” Clayton City Manager Trudy Crunkleton told The Clayton Tribune in an email Tuesday. “They pretreated for a couple of days and then were out during the actual event clearing and putting down salt mix. They did a great job and I never have to worry if things are handled correctly. They always go above and beyond. Andy (Strait) and all the Police Department crew were ready and a couple even stayed in town to make sure they would be here to work. Since the storm, the crew is still clearing and working to get all roads cleared. Mark (Nelson) is working downtown to ensure safety there as well. We really appreciate the cooperation from Sky Valley and GDOT and the offer of help from the County. It is nice to know we are all in this together.”
Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait commended his officers and city officials for the great job they did keeping the community safe during Winter Storm Cora.
“The City of Clayton, in a collaborative effort, planned and monitored the constant flow of info coming in from the National Weather Service and the Rabun County Emergency Management Office, Strait told The Clayton Tribune. “While the city crews pretreated the roads, the officers and I tried to help identify potential trouble spots. When the storms hit, the officers started patrolling and I positioned on Main Street to watch the red light and hills on each side. The officers did a great job responding to calls for service and despite everything they maintained a positive attitude. A few had to stay in Clayton overnight because they could not make it home due to road conditions after hours. The Clayton officers are truly dedicated to our citizens and I am honored to work alongside such a great group of men and women. A big thank you to Trudy Crunkleton for working with us and planning ahead for this storm.”
Sheriff Mark Gerrells thanked his deputies as well as county personnel for their efforts.
“Sheriff Mark Gerrells commends the hard work and dedication of our deputies during the recent winter storm. Their long hours and commitment to keeping our community safe resulted in very few minor incidents. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Georgia DOT, Rabun County Road Department, Rabun County Fire, EMS, and 911 services for their outstanding teamwork and service. The cooperation and resilience of Rabun County citizens were vital during this time. Your support makes our work possible,” Gerrells told The Clayton Tribune Tuesday in prepared remarks.
City of Sky Valley Mayor Hollie Steil thanked city officials for their tireless efforts during Winter Storm Cora. She thanked the road crew for their dedicated service as well as other officials who had the wellbeing of citizens as their priority.
“We’re thankful to have you all work for us,” Steil said in remarks during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Gov. Brian Kemp extends State of Emergency
Gov. Brian Kemp issued an Executive Order for a State of Emergency for Winter Weather ahead of significant weather events last week. The executive order became effective when signed on Thursday, Jan. 9, and was valid for five days, expiring on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 11:59 p.m.
In an executive order signed by the governor on Jan. 13, the State of Emergency for Winter Weather was extended for five days.
“Pursuant to Code Section 38-3-51, and the authority vested in me as governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby ordered: That the State of Emergency for Winter Weather declared on Jan. 9, 2025, by Executive Order No. 01.09.25.01, which is set to expire on Jan. 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., is hereby extended for five days and shall expire on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., unless it is otherwise renewed by the governor,” according to language in the Executive Order extending the State of Emergency. The order began effective upon the governor’s signature Tuesday.
The executive order originally signed Jan. 9 details many orders by the governor, including prohibiting price gouging during the State of Emergency.
“Whereas, the National Weather Service predicts a significant winter weather event is likely to occur across North and Central Georgia on Friday, Jan. 10, with impacts lingering through the weekend; and whereas, projected precipitation beginning the morning of Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, through the morning of Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, accompanied by severe cold temperatures creates the potential for snow and ice accumulation, including black ice on roadways, throughout North and Central Georgia; and whereas, wind gusts of up to 20 mph are projected for early Saturday morning and may exacerbate potential property damage, including downed trees and powerlines; and whereas, potential snow and ice accumulation, fallen trees, and downed power lines may render Georgia’s roadways hazardous or impassable in affected areas, isolating persons and residences from access to essential public services; and whereas assistance from the State of Georgia is necessary to provide for the public’s safety and mitigate potential consequences of this winter weather …,” according to the Executive Order signed by Kemp Jan. 9.
The executive order “shall create a coexisting state of emergency in the State of Georgia with the State of Emergency for the Passing of President Carter (issued Dec. 29, 2024).”
“The responses by the State to this State of Emergency for Winter Weather and the State of Emergency for the Passing of President Carter should proceed simultaneously, without one impeding the other,” according to language in the executive order.
In the executive order, Kemp ordered “that all resources of the State of Georgia be made available to assist in preparation, response and recovery activities throughout the affected areas, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency shall activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.”
State agencies will coordinate all public emergency information, activities, releases and response efforts related to this emergency with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, according to the executive order. It also suspends the federal rules and regulations limiting hours that operators of commercial vehicles may drive “to ensure the uninterrupted supply of goods and services necessary to respond to this State of Emergency for Winter Weather, including petroleum products, propane and heating fuels.”
The suspension remains in effect for 14 days or until emergency conditions cease to exist, whichever is less.
The executive order details how commercial vehicles can operate during the State of Emergency. It also prohibits “price gouging related to goods and services necessary for preparation, response and recovery activities for this State of Emergency for Winter Weather, including petroleum products, propane, and heating fuels” because it “would be detrimental to the social and economic welfare of the citizens of this State.”
Rabun County still under Local State of Emergency
Rabun County continues to operate under a Local State of Emergency until today, Thursday, Jan. 16, at noon due to the Winter Storm Warning.
“Whereas, Rabun County, Ga., is under a Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service office in Greenville Spartanburg, S.C., and is forecasted and could experience significant amounts of accumulating snow and other mixed weather precipitation. With this forecasted winter weather, Rabun County, Ga., could experience significant incidents of trees down, power outages, impassable roadways, and damage to life and property from impacts of Winter Storm Cora; whereas: to prevent or minimize injury to the citizens and visitors of Rabun County, Ga., and reduce damage to property resulting from Winter Storm Cora, now therefore: Rabun County, Ga., declares that a Local State of Emergency exists, and is running concurrently with the State of Emergency declared by Governor Brian P. Kemp. It is ordered: that the Rabun County Office of Emergency Management activates the county Emergency Operations Plan, under Direction and Control of the Emergency Management Director, and further ordered, that the Emergency Management Ordinances adopted by the Rabun County Board of Commissioners be operative,” according to language in the Local State of Emergency that was ordered on Friday, Jan. 10, at midnight and signed by Commission Chairman Greg James.
Mountain Judicial Circuit Declaration of Judicial Emergency
The Mountain Judicial Circuit issued a Declaration of Judicial Emergency ahead of significant winter weather effective Jan. 10 at 7 a.m.
On Tuesday, Rabun County Clerk of Court Holly Henry-Perry posted on the office’s social media page that jury for the week of Jan. 13 was canceled.
“Jury for the week of January, which had been postponed until the 15th, has now been canceled due to the inclement weather. You DO NOT need to report for the week. We apologize for any inconvenience. We appreciate your willingness to serve,” according to the post.
The Judicial Order reads,
“Whereas, the Court has determined that a circuit-wide judicial emergency exists in that a Winter Storm Watch, issued by the National Weather Service is in effect from Jan. 10 at 7 a.m. until Jan. 11 at 7 a.m.; whereas, the emergency substantially endangers or infringes upon the normal functioning of the judicial system, the ability of persons to avail themselves of the judicial system, or the ability of litigants of others to have access to the courts or meet scheduled or time deadlines imposed by the court order or rule, statute of administration rule or regulation; it is ordered that, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 38-3-61, the Courts of the Mountain Judicial Circuit (Banks, Habersham, Rabun and Stephens counties) shall be closed from 8 a.m. Jan. 10, 2025, through 8 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2025; and it is further ordered that, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 38-3-62, all court deadlines, time schedules or filling requirements on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 are extended until Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, unless otherwise ordered by the Court; and it is further ordered that the Sheriff or designee shall post a copy of this notice and any subsequent modification or extension on the county website; and that the Clerk of Court provide notice of the closure in the same manner as they would the cancellation of a scheduled jury trial, etc. It is further ordered that anyone requiring the Court’s involvement in an emergency situation may contact the office of the Chief Judge of Superior Court by calling and leaving a voicemail at 706-886-7525 or by email to Court Administrator Maggie Rickman at mrickman@habershamga.com,” according to the Standing Order of the Courts signed by Chief Judge Russell W. Smith Jan. 9.
Rabun County public safety encourages everyone to be prepared
Rabun County was forecasted to get a significant weather event with frozen precipitation last Friday and Saturday.
Brian Panell, Rabun County EMA director, said colder winter weather is expected again in the coming weeks, and gives tips about how people can prepare and stay safe during winter weather.
Long-range forecasts show Rabun County with projected precipitation on multiple days in January with temperatures at or near freezing.
Panell advised citizens to make sure they are prepared with any medicine, water, and nonperishable food both for yourself and your animals.
“Make sure your means of heating are safe,” Panell said.
Panell said to make sure generators are properly and safely installed. Do not put generators inside and make sure they are safely located outside. These emit carbon monoxide, a deadly colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.
Panell also it is a good idea to get a weather transmitter for updates. The radio can be tuned to 162.450 mhz for the local radio frequency off of Glassy Mountain.
Panell encouraged everyone to make sure they have supplies, but to be mindful of getting only what they need because others need the same supplies.
Charging devices is also important.
“Please don’t be on the roadway unless it’s an emergency,” Panell said about staying safe during inclement winter weather.
Panell said this is for the safety of motorists as well as the first responders who will still be working.
Panell said once the weather starts, people should stay in place because roads will likely become impassable even with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
A warming shelter had not been announced as of Thursday afternoon.
“People need to use extreme caution,” said Panell, who encouraged everyone to sign up for CODERED alerts.
To sign up, visit https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFBC1D587AD2
For links to more EMA resources, visit https://www.rabuncounty.ga.gov/ema/page/ema-resources