For those in areas where the sleet/snow fell in the deep south, especially Coastal GA/SC (the Greater Frogmore Metroplex), the advice for the day is simple: unless you absolutely have to, stay off the roads. Here is what a typical street in midtown Savannah looks like at 7am this morning …
If you look carefully, you can see in the tracks there is a layer of ice. That area at the top that looks clear? It isn’t – it is super slick. That’s “black ice” (or in this case, because it is a concrete road, “concrete ice.”). Either way, you can’t see it from your car, or walking for that matter. I swept off our front steps yesterday, but the back office steps were dangerous.
Here’s the official word:
...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS TO PERSIST THROUGH LATE MORNING..
Low temperatures in the teens across many areas early this morningw ill remain below freezing through mid to late morning. As a result, many roadways will remain hazardous for travel with compact snow/ice, including black ice. This includes primary roads, secondary roads,and back roads, plus bridges, and overpasses.
Black ice is difficult to see and distinguish from dry surfaces. The deceptive nature of black ice can catch you unaware while you are driving or walking, causing you to lose control of your motor vehicle, or to slip and fall.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If you plan to drive or walk, remain alert for black ice. Slow your driving speed and use care when walking on sidewalks, driveways or parking lots. Slips and falls constitute a leading cause of injuries during winter weather.
Unfortunately, while there will be a little more melting today, clouds will be moving in from offshore and temperatures will only peak out in the 30’s. Fortunately it looks like any precipitation will stay offshore because if it fell it would add to the ice misery. It looks like Friday morning will also be hazardous, but sunny and warmer in the afternoon so hopefully by Saturday the roads will be safe to travel on.
Last I checked (7:30am) both runways at the Savannah International Airport are closed until Thursday evening an all flights today canceled.
During hurricane season you discuss what a storm damage does to the economy. My question, what do you estimate the cost to the economy from this winter storm in this general area?
I used to do that for pretty much all natural hazards – hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, blizzards, etc., but I don’t have any active projects doing that any more. I might restart it, but not exactly sure what direction I’m going to go.