Snow blankets county

UPDATE 2 P.M. MONDAY--

A thin layer of sleet and freezing rain continued to hit Jackson County Monday afternoon making road conditions dangerous on top of the snow from earlier in the day. Officials continue to watch the situation to see just how bad the roads may become tonight and Tuesday morning.

Arcade has canceled its city council meeting for tonight.

No official announcements have been made yet on Tuesday openings or closings.




UPDATE NOON MONDAY--

Roads remain "terrible" in Jackson County today as light sleet/freezing rain falls over 5-6 inches of snow from last night.

Jackson County EMA director Steve Nichols encouraged people to stay home given the condition of area roads.

He said the 911 Center in Jackson County had handled 547 incident requests since 8 p.m. Sunday night. Around 40 or so accidents, none serious, have happened he said.

No decisions on Tuesday school or government openings have been announced as of noon.



UPDATE 11 A.M. MONDAY--

Small bands of sleet and freezing rain continue across parts of Georgia, but Jackson County doesn't seem to be getting hit too hard at this time.

Closing for Tuesday are starting to come in with the Jefferson City Court canceled and rescheduled for Jan. 25 at 9 a.m.


UPDATE 10 A.M. MONDAY--

Jackson Countians awoke to 4-6 inches of snow this morning, but with schools and non-emergency government agencies closed and most businesses shut down there is little reason for people to leave home today.

Officials have discouraged all non-essential travel for Monday. Roads are slick and travel is difficult.

No major power outages have been reported in the area, although a small number of JEMC customers around Braselton were without power.

The forecast calls for more and possible freezing rain today on top of the snow during the day Monday. But how much and what impact that has on roads remains to be seen.



UPDATE 6 A.M. MONDAY---

The Jefferson City Hall and all non public-safety city offices are closed today. The Jefferson City Council meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled. The Jackson County government offices are also closed.

****

Snow began falling before midnight and by 3 a.m. areas around Jackson County were reporting around 3 inches of accumulation. County officials said that most roads were "impassable" without 4x4 vehicles or chains. I-85 is open but moving slowly.

Snow and sleet continue to fall and more accumulation is expected throughout the day.

*****


SUNDAY NIGHT-- The City of Jefferson and Jackson County School Systems will be shut down Monday due to the winter weather that is schedule to hit North Georgia Sunday night. The Jackson County Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday night has also been canceled.

The looming snow-ice-sleet-freezing rain that is predicted to hit Georgia Sunday night and Monday appears as if it will shut down most activities early in the week. State officials issued a release Sunday advising people not to plan to travel at all on Monday due to dangerous icing.

Jackson County emergency officials have been monitoring the situation. EMA director Steve Nichols said 5-7 inches of snow is expected and that the area could see 1/4 inch of accumulation of freezing rain Monday afternoon. He said travel could remain dangerous through Tuesday.

Specific information on closings and conditions will be posted here as that information becomes available.