Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers | December 26, 2024 | Personal Injury
Sandy Springs is known for its pleasant climate, which is a big part of why so many people move there. The city enjoys warm summers, beautiful springs, and mild winters. With average winter temperatures in the upper 40s and little snow, it’s a far cry from the harsh winters up north.
However, that doesn’t mean Sandy Springs residents can ignore winter weather prep entirely. Even brief cold snaps and occasional ice storms can pose major challenges.
The Basics of Winter Weather Prep in Sandy Springs
Generally speaking, winter weather preparation in cities usually involves a few key tasks, such as:
- Stockpiling road salt and sand
- Making sure snow plows and other equipment are in good working order
- Training crews on snow removal procedures
- Identifying priority routes that need to be cleared first
- Communicating with the public about snow emergencies and parking restrictions
Additionally, residents are encouraged to stay informed, maintain contact with loved ones, and have a plan of action in case of vehicle accidents.
What Sandy Springs Does To Prepare For Winter
The city’s winter weather page provides key insight into how it helps residents get ready for extreme weather.
Preparation measures include providing the following:
- Updates on severe winter weather events
- Links to the city’s Facebook and X accounts for social media updates
- Resources for power outages, including Georgia Power’s outage map
- Links to National Weather Service alerts and Sandy Springs Alerts signups
- Tips for preparing winter prep kits and preventing frozen pipes
- Info on warming stations open at Georgia State Parks
When it comes to the basics, Sandy Springs seems to be in line with best practices. However, some other cities take things to another level.
How Sandy Springs Compares To Other Cities
Here are three places that stand out for their particularly impressive winter weather prep:
Rochester, NY
Rochester receives upward of 100 inches of snow per year — over eight feet. As such, city leaders have to be on top of their game. The city has PlowTrax, a sophisticated system for tracking which streets have been plowed. It even makes some of that data public using GPS trackers on the plows.
Anchorage, AK
Alaska knows how to handle snow. Anchorage alone gets an average of 80 inches per year. The city has a fleet of snow removal machines, with street maintenance crews working 24 hours a day, seven days a week plowing, removing snow, de-icing, and preventing ice on municipally maintained streets and sidewalks all winter long.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis braces for snow with a robust set of emergency protocols. Residents can sign up for alerts to stay informed about declared snow emergencies, which trigger specific parking rules for three days to allow for effective snow removal.
The city also enforces sidewalk clearing rules, requiring property owners to remove snow and ice promptly to reduce the occurrence of slip and fall accidents.
Where Sandy Springs Could Improve
While Sandy Springs’ winter preparations are solid overall, there are two key measures city leaders should consider adopting from other areas.
Computerized Tracking Systems For Plowing
Cities like Rochester and Anchorage use GPS and GIS systems to optimize their plow routes and track progress. This helps them clear roads more efficiently.
A Dedicated Web Page With Real-Time Updates
Some cities have web pages specifically for winter weather updates, often with live tracking of plows, real-time traffic cameras, closures, and advisories all in one place. While Sandy Springs has winter weather info on its site, it’s a little scattered and could be brought together into a dedicated winter weather portal.
Winter Weather Prep in Sandy Springs, GA
Regarding the winter weather preparations it has in place, Sandy Springs seems to be on par with or ahead of many of its peers across the country. But as cities like Rochester, Minneapolis, and Anchorage show, there’s always room for improvement, especially as winter weather continues to become more severe in many places.
Contact the Sandy Springs Personal Injury Lawyers Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve Fulton County, GA. Visit our personal injury law office in Sandy Springs, GA at:
Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
200 Sandy Springs Place NE, Atlanta, GA 30328
Open 24 Hours
(404) 255-9000