Kemp asks Georgians to stay off roads as ice storm strains North Georgia response crews

State response expands as freezing rain and sleet create hazardous travel and power risks

Georgia officials urged residents to avoid travel Sunday as an ice storm intensified across North Georgia, creating slick roadways and raising the risk of downed trees and power lines. Gov. Brian Kemp told people in affected areas to remain indoors so road crews and first responders can work safely, warning that conditions were expected to worsen through the day.

Speaking as transportation teams continued treating priority routes, Kemp said the storm’s brief lull was being used to re-treat major corridors and regain traction where conditions were deteriorating. The message was paired with an operational focus on keeping key highways and access routes passable for emergency vehicles and critical services.

“Let us do our work and stay safe out there,” Kemp said as crews re-treated roadways during a temporary break in precipitation.

Emergency order and state operations activation

The storm response unfolded under a statewide state of emergency that Kemp issued on January 22, 2026, ahead of the event. The order runs through January 29, 2026, and authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center and mobilize resources statewide.

State agencies staged personnel and equipment for an event dominated by freezing rain, a precipitation type that can rapidly glaze roads and accumulate on trees and utility infrastructure. State transportation teams began pre-treating and then re-treating interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses, prioritizing high-traffic corridors and routes that provide access to hospitals and urgent care facilities.

Closures, travel conditions and public safety posture

With hazardous roadway conditions expected across large portions of the state—especially north of Interstate 20—Georgia planned closures of state offices on Monday, January 26, 2026, in a broad swath of affected areas. Public safety resources were placed on standby for weather-related calls, and response teams were prepared to assist with debris removal where ice and wind could bring down trees and limbs.

On the ground in North Georgia, road conditions worsened first on secondary roads and elevated surfaces. Reports during the storm included vehicle crashes and trees down in multiple locations, underscoring why officials repeated the request to limit driving to essential travel.

• Road treatment operations prioritized interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses.
• State emergency coordination operated under the activated State Operations Center.
• Residents were urged to avoid travel so emergency and road crews can operate.

What officials say residents should do now

State guidance emphasized staying off the roads, keeping warm, and preparing for impacts that can follow prolonged freezing temperatures, including continued slick conditions even after precipitation eases. Officials also encouraged residents to monitor local emergency instructions and to check for available warming locations if power loss or heating disruptions occur.