Citizen Watch

Johns Creek Should be Commended for Weather Response

City reported few traffic accidents, assessed trouble spots early.

Below-freezing temperatures kept metro-Atlanta drivers crawling on the city’s major roads after a historic snowstorm hit the Southeast Sunday night into Monday. Many people are understandably frustrated with the Georgia Department of Transportation and its response to clearing major roads and highways quickly. Wednesday, GDOT officials, who have come under blistering criticism, said 99 percent of all state roads were passable, with at least one lane open on every interstate route, but the outrage by many is still being heard. On Day 4 of what many are calling a "Snowmageddon," many metro-Atlanta residents are shaking their heads in disbelief and asking if GDOT was prepared for this mess. On the flip side, cities like Johns Creek that had a…

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Janet Shan

10:01 pm on Friday, January 14, 2011

Lee, thanks for your comments. Atlanta dropped the ball and it is quite obvious they didn't pre-plan for a worse-case scenario as Johns Creek, Suwanee and Canton did. GDOT also dropped the ball. For once the meteorologists were correct in their predictions. It seems Mayor Kaseem Reed, GDOT commissioner Vance Smith and their advisors didn't take this seriously. I echo your sentiment, kudos to …   more ›

Editor's Notebook

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 13

What's going on in Johns Creek? Click on links for more details.

1. Winter weather update. Skies will be sunny but temperatures will once againg struggle to reach above freezing. 2. City offices open. Johns Creek City Hall and Municipal Court open at 10 a.m. 3. Another snow day for the kids. Fulton County students and teachers have a fourth day off from school. 4. After Hours event canceled. The Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours event has been canceled due to inclement weather and will resume Feb. 3 at Abbott's Bar & Grill. 5. Road watch. Northbound lane of Johns Creek Parkway south of McGinnis-Ferry will be closed all day through Jan. 14 due to discovery of an unmarked, paved-over manhole. Expect delays.

Here Comes the Sun: More People Venturing Out, City Offices Open

Johns Creek has seen little in the way of weather-related traffic incidents.

As more people have emerged on the roads with Wednesday’s appearance of the sun, Johns Creek, which has seen little in the way of weather-related accidents since the storm began, has reported five accidents today. However, according to Doug Nurse, the city’s communications manager, police typically respond to five and six accidents on a normal day.  “We still have [Public Works] crews going 24-7,” he said, adding that 450 tons of sand and salt mixture have been spread. “Anecdotally, I would say more people are out on the roads today, but it’s still about half the normal amount.”

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'People Are Staying Home': Winter Storm Update

No weather-related accidents in Johns Creek have been reported since start of winter storm on Sunday.

"People are staying home," said Doug Nurse, Johns Creek's communications manager, explaining why no weather-related incidents had been responded to as of 1 p.m. Tuesday since the start of the winter blast. He also gave credit to the city's Public Works Department, whose staff are working 12-hour shifts salting and sanding key points and major thoroughfares. "We brought out a couple of road graders today, and they seem to be working to good effect," said Nurse, who was stationed in the city's Emergency Operations Center. He said city officials are concerned that residents will start to get cabin fever or run out of supplies and venture out as temperatures drop and ice begins forming again. But so far, "people are heeding the warnings." …

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