UPDATE: Winter Storm Benji hits Union hard

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – UPDATE: At 4:40 p.m., Union County EMA Director David Dyer reported to FetchYourNews U.S. Highway 129 near Neels Gap and Blood Mountain has reopened since its temporary closure just after 1 p.m. earlier today after weather conditions and several accidents forced the closure of the road.

However, temperatures are expected drop below freezing after sunset, and roads are expected to refreeze with black ice. In addition, a second wave of snow is expected to move through north Georgia and Union County in the coming hours, dropping anywhere from one to five additional inches of accumulation in places, according to forecasts.

State Route 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) remains closed, according to Dyer.

Dyer stated there have been 42 vehicle accidents across Union County roadways as a result of the weather since 7 a.m., but the director added no fatalities or injuries were suffered in those accidents.

 

Union County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director David Dyer reported that road conditions throughout the county remain treacherous after a winter storm that swept through north Georgia Friday morning, Dec. 8, blanketed Blairsville and surrounding communities with over six-and-a-half inches of snow as of 1 p.m.

Dyer added that, as of the same time, 36 vehicle accidents on Union roadways since 7 a.m. had been recorded  as a result of the storm. “We are very much advising people to be prepared and stay at home,” Dyer urged.

The director stated the county road department was “out in full force” attempting to clear county roads. He also stated state Route 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Hwy.) was closed and stressed that road conditions on U.S. Highway 129 going over Blood Mountain, which, according to the county’s EMA Facebook page, closed at Neels Gap shortly after 1 p.m., were extremely poor and there had been several accidents on that stretch, including two tractor trailer accidents. Dyer advises motorists to avoid traveling Hwy. 129 going south toward Blood Mountain.

With temperatures expected to drop into the 20s or lower tonight, Dyer said overnight refreeze is likely to be a problem on roads heading into Saturday. For Union, and several surrounding counties, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning, which will remain in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday.

Dyer reported there have been a couple of reported power outages within the county, but the county Emergency Operations Center remains open and continues to coordinate assistance. He did add, however, that 911 dispatch has been “overwhelmed” with the number of calls concerning or resulting from the weather event.

Continue to follow FetchYourNews for updates and stories concerning this weekend’s winter storm.