Sunday, January 6, 2002
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Sunday, January 6, 2002 |
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Traffic light as snow falls on Fayette By MONROE ROARK and JOHN MUNFORD
Fayetteville residents saw a blanket of snow cover the area Wednesday night and Thursday morning, but most of them only saw it from their homes. Only two weather-related accidents were reported in the city Thursday morning, with no injuries and minor damage. Overall traffic was far below normal, according to a department spokesperson. "Most people stayed at home," said Maj. Harold Simmons of the Fayetteville Police Department. "That made it easier for us." Police patrolled the city in cars with snow tires, while other city personnel took to the streets to scrape away snow and put sand on surfaces to make driving more manageable. No roads in the city were closed due to weather, Simmons said. City Hall opened at 10 a.m., although a few city officials came in as early as 7 a.m. to check out roads and other weather-related issues, according to City Manager Joe Morton. The regularly scheduled City Council meeting for Thursday night had already been cancelled due to a lack of activity during the holidays. Peachtree City also reported extremely light traffic in the wake of heavy snowfall. "There's not much traffic on the road," Maj. Mike DuPree of the Peachtree City Police Department said Thursday morning. Although a few accidents have been reported, most motorists have been using extreme caution when taking to the ice- and snow-covered roads, DuPree said. Most of the accidents have involved cars running off the road, he added, although one motorist went off the road and struck a fire hydrant. The department closed the northern leg of Peachtree Parkway to through traffic Thursday evening because of the difficulty of navigating the hilly terrain and the bridges, DuPree said. Police have also been cooperating with the Public Works Department, particularly by reporting road hazards, DuPree noted. "Public works had some people stay through the night to work with the police department on any road problems," DuPree said. When winter weather strikes like this, it's best for all to stay home if at all possible "and enjoy it," DuPree said. "The roads can be treacherous," he said. "Everybody needs to be careful." City Hall was closed Thursday until at least noon, when officials would re-evaluate the weather situation and determine whether to cancel the City Council meeting slated for 7 p.m., said Public Information Officer Betsy Tyler. The remnants of this week's winter storm may not be wiped away until Sunday, when forecasters predict rain for the area, according to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City. Roads will likely be frozen again Friday morning, said Gerald Birdow, a hydrometerological technician. Five inches of snow was recorded at the NWS office at Falcon Field Airport for the 24-hour period ending 7 a.m. Thursday. With freezing temperatures expected last night and early this morning, the snow and ice will likely stick around a little longer, Birdow said. 'The temperatures should be in the upper 30s to lower 40s," Birdow said. The frozen precipitation may be wiped away Sunday as the area has a good chance for rain showers, Birdow added.
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