As Tropical Storm Irma moves throughout the state today, Georgia DOT strongly advises residents and travelers to stay safe and shelter in place. After the storm passes and officials deem conditions safe, Georgia DOT crews will work quickly to clear as many of the interstates and major state routes as possible before nightfall and conditions become too dangerous to work. In some areas of the state, crews are already working to clear debris and ensure safe passage on interstates and state routes.

“While the heavy rainfall and high winds have moved out of the southern part of the state, middle and north Georgia are currently experiencing the brunt of the storm,” said Georgia DOT’s Chief Engineer Meg Pirkle. “People on the roadways are putting themselves in extreme danger from wind gusts up to 65 mph in the metro area, and downed trees and power lines, so we continue to advise that people stay where they are for the time being.”

Current conditions as of 6:30 p.m. on roadways across the state:

• South East Georgia: Crews will begin working on clearing debris from I-95 which is closed in multiple locations due to downed trees and debris.
• South West Georgia: Multiple crews will be clearing different routes at the same time – multiple roadway incidents associated with debris. Crews will begin work on I-75, with others going to major four lane routes – US 82, US 84, US 319, US 19, US 27 and SR 300.
• East Central Georgia: Crews are prepared and waiting for the storm to subside enough to begin work on clearing interstate and major state routes.
• West Central Georgia: Crews have been working to clear interstates and major state routes, however there is debris on I-75 in Henry, Monroe and Butts counties.
• Metro District: Crews have been working to clear drains and debris from all interstates.
  Current conditions include:
  • DeKalb County: Memorial Drive between Douglas and Watson
  • SR 13/ Buford Highway @ West Druid Hills Road closed due to tree down
• North East Georgia: Crews are prepared and standing by to clear roads once the storm has passed.
• North West Georgia: Crews are prepared and standing by to clear roads once the storm has passed.

Georgia DOT cautions, if you must travel:

• Watch out for downed limbs, trees and power lines on the roadways.
• Treat a non-working traffic signal as a four-way stop.
  If you must travel, wait until daylight and use extreme caution on roadways.
• Steady rain can cause flash flooding quickly.
• Be aware there is a difference between flash flood and storm surge.
• Street flooding can occur quickly … do not drive onto roadways completely covered with moving water.
• If a barricade is in place, it is there for your safety. DO NOT drive around it.

  Georgia DOT advises that it is not safe to be on the roadways at this time. Exercise patience and stay informed about roadway conditions.

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Acting on a recommendation from the state’s Emergency Operations Command Gov. Nathan Deal expanded the emergency declaration to include all 159 counties in Georgia. The Governor has also ordered state government closed on Monday and Tuesday for all employees except personnel who will be working the storm.

“With heavy rainfall, flash flooding and high winds, we expect downed trees and power lines that will directly impact travel on our roadways throughout the entire state. It is important for residents to continue to stay in a safe location and not be on the roadway during the storm,” said Georgia DOT’s State Traffic Operations Engineer Andrew Heath.

Once it is safe to re-enter areas impacted by Irma, nearly 800 Georgia DOT employees are on standby to begin clearing debris from the roadway, inspect bridges for safe reopening, restore downed or broken traffic signals and ensure the safety of the travelling public.

“The safety of all Georgia residents and Georgia DOT employees is paramount. We cannot allow our employees to enter and work in unsafe areas,” added Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. “We ask for the public’s patience in allowing our crews the time to safely clear roadways and inspect bridges.”

Priority will be given to clearing the interstates and heavily traveled state routes and arterials so that emergency personnel and power crews can take care of resident’s basic needs. In addition, more than 40 bridge inspectors will be inspecting bridges once the water goes down and they are able to inspect hundreds of bridges throughout the state.

For more I-75 travel info, visit  www.i75exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-75, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Michigan to Florida! Plus I-75 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-95 Exit Guide.