Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) declared a statewide State of Emergency today ahead of this weekend's winter storm. To clarify, this is a separate executive order from the one issued on January 22nd ahead of Winter Storm Fern, and it will be active until February 6th.
“While Mother Nature may not be giving us a break with these back-to-back storms, the good news is we don't take any days off when it comes to keeping Georgia communities prepared and safe,” Gov. Kemp said in a statement. “Along with our state partners, we have been monitoring this new winter storm well ahead of its arrival and preparing for whatever it may bring.”
The New State of Emergency
The Governor directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC), beginning at noon today.
Unlike last week's winter weather event, which mostly brought freezing precipitation and heavy ice, the incoming storm will bring extreme cold temperatures and at least an inch of snowfall in some communities.
Even in areas that do not experience heavy snowfall, any accumulation can result in slick and dangerous roadways. The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) is prepared for this winter weather event and has already begun treating roads in areas within the storm's path.
Georgia DOT crews are pre-treating more than 20,000 lane miles of interstates and state routes with brine, prioritizing regions and routes expected to experience the heaviest precipitation. Crews will operate in 12-hour shifts and transition to plowing operations once snow begins to fall.
Both the speed and effectiveness of GDOT's efforts can be aided by Georgians currently in the snowstorm's path by remaining home this weekend and Friday evening.
Among other provisions, this new State of Emergency order prohibits price gouging, suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities, and temporarily increases size limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.
With back-to-back winter storms, we’re not taking any days off when it comes to keeping Georgians prepared and safe.
I’m issuing a new State of Emergency before tomorrow’s winter weather so we can stage resources ahead of the storm. Those in affected areas should prepare now and… pic.twitter.com/ofHEdME4L2
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 30, 2026
