Winter Storm Fern projected to bring freezing temperatures, snow and ice
**This article has been updated since press time**
The Rabun County Office of Emergency Management is monitoring a potential winter storm, with the potential for significant icing and snow, that could affect our area over the coming weekend.
The Rabun County 911 center issued a CodeRED emergency alert via text and phone call stating, “A major weather event is shaping up for our area this weekend. Significant icing and snow is possible. We urge all residents to start preparing now for power outages and icing on roads. Please make sure you have a supply of medicines, food, spare tanks (for those on home oxygen), a working flashlight with extra batteries, and cellphone charge banks.”
Residents are urged to prepare now for potential winter weather expected to start early Saturday morning, Jan. 24, and continue through Sunday. Very low or freezing temperatures are expected.
Thursday morning, the Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) called customers advising that they leave a faucet dripping to avoid a service outage due to frozen or broken water lines.
Rabun County Schools update on possible closures
Also on Thursday, Rabun County Schools issued a statement via website and social media about how they are monitoring winter weather.
"Wildcat Families, We are actively monitoring the weather forecast as a winter storm is expected to move into our area this weekend. More information will become available throughout the day, giving us a better understanding of potential impacts, including possible frozen precipitation amounts.
"As additional information becomes available today and tomorrow morning, a decision regarding school operations for Monday, January 26, will be made as early as possible and shared with families through ParentSquare and social media.
"Student Chromebooks will be sent home with primary and elementary students on Friday. As a reminder, middle and high school students already take their Chromebooks home daily.
"We appreciate your patience as we continue to assess conditions to ensure everyone’s safety," according to the message.
“One inch of snow, possibly mixed with sleet, is enough to cause at least minor traffic impacts across the forecast area,” according to the forecast confidence from the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., social media post, dated Jan. 20 at 3:17 p.m. “Some degree of impact from a winter weather system looks very likely this weekend, with precipitation mainly falling Saturday and Saturday night. Confidence, however, is low whether the event is mainly snow/ice, or if ice glaze may develop on trees and power lines.”
“A potential winter storm system may impact the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia this weekend, but details regarding precipitation amounts and type remain uncertain. “Confidence continues to increase that significant wintry precipitation will result in moderate winter storm impacts, including hazardous travel and power outages,” according to a preliminary Winter Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., on Jan. 20 at 2:35 p.m.
The briefing was provided via email from City of Sky Valley officials, who received the information from Brian Panell, Rabun County Office of Emergency Management director.
A live webinar from the National Weather Service was expected at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Panell noted in the email it is a preliminary forecast and “confidence in specific amounts and precipitation types is still low.”
Prepare ahead for winter weather
Panell told The Clayton Tribune it’s important to prepare for the potential winter weather this weekend and to make sure you have last-minute preparations ready. He advised residents should have weather notifications turned on, charge phones ahead of time, have power banks and flashlights ready, and have enough food available.
Panell said homes with well water should make sure they collect enough water and have it on-hand in case of power outages.
He encouraged everyone to be mindful of safety while warming. Specifically, he said not to use charcoal grills inside and not to use generators inside or in a basement.
The Rabun County Office of Emergency Management advises a checklist to get ready before conditions deteriorate:
-Charge all phones, tablets and backup battery packs.
-Stock food, water (including food and water for pets) and medications for at least 72 hours.
-Test flashlights and have fresh batteries available.
-Set aside extra blankets and warm clothing.
-Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
-Protect exposed water pipes and know your shutoff location.
-Have ice melt or sand ready for steps and walkways.
-Fuel vehicles and check windshield washer fluid.
-Use space heaters safely and keep them away from combustibles.
-Know how to report power outages to your utility provider.
-Turn on weather alerts in your phone and weather apps.
-Check and use generators safely. Never use them indoors or in a basement and have extra fuel on hand.
-Have means of receiving weather alerts from NOAA weather radio. 162.450Mhz is the local U.S. National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., radio transmitter frequency. Enable local weather alerts – Make sure your weather app notifications are turned on for timely updates.
Visit https://www.rabuncounty.ga.gov/ema for information and resources from the Rabun County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and to sign up for CodeRED alerts.
Also, check out the Rabun County EMA/Search and Rescue Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RabunSAR, for frequent updates on potential storm activity and preparation advice.
Visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter for information on winter preparedness from the National Weather Service.
Georgia Power teams prepared to respond to Winter Storm Fern
"As Winter Storm Fern brings subfreezing temperatures to the state this weekend, as well as the potential for significant snow and ice, Georgia Power is encouraging customers to take steps now to prepare and stay safe and warm," according to a Jan. 21 press release from Georgia Power. "The company is preparing as well, with crews across the state engaged and ready to safely and quickly respond to potential damage from the storm and restore service for customers."
The company encouraged customers to prepare now for potential snow and ice. Tools and resources are available to stay connected and informed.
Important safety tips from Georgia Power include:
-Take time now to develop a plan for your family, and connect with friends and family who may need additional support during a storm if they lose power. Build or update your emergency kit with essential supplies.
-Take care if using a portable generator. Follow all manufacturers' instructions, avoid using generators in enclosed spaces and be mindful of electrical safety.
-Watch for Georgia Power crews across the state as the storm moves through. If you must be on the roads, be cognizant of ice and other hazardous conditions and please move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road-it's the law in Georgia.
-Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire. Warn those going out to play in snow or clear debris to watch for and avoid downed wires.
-Never pull tree limbs off of power lines yourself or enter areas with heavy snow, debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be concealed. Customers should call 911 or Georgia Power immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line.
Resources available
Customers can visit GeorgiaPower.com/Storm to check their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts. They can also report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information.
Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.