The widespread outages are expected to increase as danger builds across Georgia. A winter storm warning continues in north Georgia until 1 p.m. Thursday. The ice storm warning will be in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday.
More than two dozen Channel 2 Action News crews are spread across metro Atlanta, where freezing rain continues to fall late Tuesday morning. Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologists say strong winds combined with heavy ice will exacerbate the potential for more trees toppling. Temperatures will remain in the 30s and conditions are getting worse by the moment.
All major school districts are closed and most roads appear to be clear of traffic amid what might be a historic winter storm.
"Trees coming down are the big story south of I-20 according to Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist David Chandley.
In northeast Atlanta, a tree crashed through the roof of a house on Martha Avenue around 5 a.m., injuring an 88-year-old woman who lived there with her grandson. The woman was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of a gash over her eye.
Channel 2 meteorologist Karen Minton said snowfall totals of up to 10 inches are possible in the northeast Georgia mountains, with accumulations of 3 to 6 inches closer to Atlanta.
Ice accumulations of a quarter to a half-inch are possible from Atlanta southward, with up to an inch of ice forecast from around Eatonton to Augusta.
The snow and freezing rain is expected to continue throughout the day and into the evening.
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Channel 2’s Tom Regan is on Jesse Jewell Parkway in Gainesville where streets are covered with snow. Regan said the streets haven’t been plowed since 6 a.m.
“The condition of the back streets and side streets are much worse,” Regan said.
There are no reports of road accidents in Gainesville.
Channel 2's Jeff Dore is reporting slick conditions from the salt barn in northeast Atlanta. GDOT officials urge people to stay off the road, but for those who have to be on the road for dire reasons are advised to use the two far right lanes.
“They’re starting really with the right two lanes for now. Part of the good news is that people actually listened. Nobody’s hardly on road,” Dore said. “Public safety (workers) are going with salt and sand trucks to make sure people aren’t getting in their way, blocking their route.”
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach reported a thick layer of ice coating trees, power lines and roads in Cobb County.
Stay with Channel 2 Action News for extended coverage of treacherous ice conditions from Severe Weather Team 2.