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 The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is actively monitoring conditions and preparing for Hurricane Helene as the storm approaches. Impacts will be felt statewide beginning today and overnight by this storm, and as a result all Georgia DOT district offices and personnel have equipment ready for deployment when the need arises.

As projected by the National Weather Service, Helene will bring extremely damaging winds, heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening flash flooding statewide. Severe impacts are likely for citizens throughout the state including downed trees, power outages and possible tornado activity – all of which will likely impact travel on Georgia roads. A current state of emergency remains in place in Georgia until October 2, 2024.

With the projected high rainfall amounts associated with Hurricane Helene, motorists are reminded to use extreme caution on roadways while traveling, and to avoid travel if at all possible as the storm moves through Georgia. Motorists are reminded to remain cognizant of standing or rushing water and to respond appropriately to road conditions that could change quickly. Please remember that when heavy rainfall occurs in a very short amount of time, water on roadways – even with storm drains that function well under normal rainfall – can rise temporarily similarly to creeks and rivers. Motorists should take caution and be prepared to turn around when encountering water in the roadway. Vehicles can get swept away by as little as twelve inches of moving water.

Georgia DOT crews will continue their work and monitor the weather conditions while doing so. However, for the safety of employees, once the winds reach 40 MPH crews will begin to shelter in place and will stop cleanup and debris removal from interstates and state routes. Once the storm has passed and winds have subsided, crews will return to cleanup efforts. Priority will be placed on interstates, then state routes with highest priority given to routes to hospitals and other essential public services.

Crews have already addressed flood-prone areas due to earlier rainfall and are ensuring storm drains are cleared to minimize standing water on interstates and state routes. In the event that motorists have to drive, be sure to follow 511GA for up-to-date road closures. Motorists are also reminded that in the event that a signalized intersection has no power, treat that intersection as a four-way stop. Motorists can also expect detours and road closures due to debris, downed trees and power lines and potential roadway flooding as the department responds to the weather event.

Georgia DOT Express Lanes information:

• The I-75 South Express Lanes south of metro Atlanta will continue to remain open for northbound traffic only through Friday to accommodate expected higher northbound traffic counts from those who may be fleeing storm impacts to the south.
• Express Lanes can be accessed by motorists using a Georgia Peach Pass, Florida Sun Pass or E-Z Pass.

Georgia DOT is preparing on a statewide level in partnership with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the National Weather Service and state and local officials. The traveling public’s safety is a top priority as the department readies for this major weather event and advises motorists to avoid non-essential travel, particularly following the storm when roads may still be impacted by debris and could be impassable. If you must travel and encounter a Georgia DOT vehicle, emergency response crew or law enforcement out on the roadways, move over a lane and give them the space to accomplish their critically important tasks safely.

Hurricane Safety Tips

As preparation for Hurricane Helene continues, motorists are reminded to be cautious of strong winds, flooding, downed power lines and the potential for falling trees. Avoid non-essential travel as much as possible and monitor real-time road conditions using the 511GA app.

• Call 511 to report flash flooding, downed trees or other obstructions that impede travel on roadways or bridges
• Do not drive around barricades that are in place for motorist safety or through standing water
• Residents should never clear tree limbs, downed trees or debris from roadways, live power lines could be tangled in debris and can cause injury or death; instead, wait for Georgia DOT and Georgia Power crews
• Motorists who must drive should always treat flashing red and non-operational signals as a four-way stop

For more hurricane safety tips, please visit Georgia DOT’s hurricane webpage.

For real-time road conditions, call 511 or click on (www.511ga.org). For weather information, visit the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (https://www.weather.gov/ffc/).

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We are involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and it’s nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovations, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.