City of Fayetteville responds to winter weather-related incidents and conditions —
UPDATED DEC. 24 — The City of Fayetteville Police, Fire, and Public Services departments have responded to winter weather-related incidents overnight and early Friday morning impacting residents and roadways. The majority of weather-related calls for service include fallen trees and wires down, causing a traffic hazard or the loss of power.
As for busy Ga. Highway 74 East in the area of Weatherly Drive, “all lanes of Highway 54 East have been reopened. Utility crews have repaired the power lines as well,” according to Fayetteville Public Information Officer Danny Harrison.
The City of Fayetteville, in conjunction with county officials, is prepared to open a warming center if the need arises. However, the warming center would only be used as a last resort for residents who lose power for an extended period and cannot offer overnight housing.
Caution should be taken to avoid prolonged exposure to the elements, as contact with the temperatures in the area could lead to a rapid onset of hypothermia. Preparing for possible power outages is also recommended with freezing temperatures and the expected wind speeds.
The City of Fayetteville is prepared to assist our community during the inclement weather expected through the weekend. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Fayette County E-911 Center to report emergencies by dialing 911 or request assistance with non-emergency matters by calling 770-461-4357.
I believe with Fayette County’s lead and collective municipalities’ support, we can come up with one or more overnight shelters to protect people from various natural and man-madel hazards. Look at protecting people from within our county and cities/towns, not from without.
That is truly a noble thought, and one to be commended. What you should consider, though, is that you’ll lose control of it fairly quickly as people will be showing up every day, expecting food and a bed. As far as protecting only those within our communities, that will not happen. I’m not sure from which direction the flow will be heaviest, north or east, but it will come, and you will not be able to slow or stop it.
I agree. I’m a firm believer in the “Field of Dreams” quote, “If you build it, they will come.” I also believe our fears should not keep us from sheltering people with critical needs in times of crisis. Where there is a will, there is a way. We can establish moral, legal and ethical parameters to help safeguard those who are already our neighbors. Maybe a shuttered school will work. Maybe a church can temporarily extend its openess beyond it normal operating hours. Maybe our County Emergency Operations Center has already laid out a plan for sheltering people in emergency situations. If there is somewhere to shelter people from freezing to death (or suffering heat strokes) in our County, I will like to know it. If we can temporarily shelter “illegal” immigrants, surely we can temporarily shelter our own.