This one goes for the entire county, heck the entire state: remember that old “leave your pipes dripping” thing you’re supposed to do when temperatures drop well below freezing? Now is the time to pay attention to that advice.
City officials are asking local residents to leave taps at least dripping throughout the coming days of arctic-like temperatures as a front moves in overnight and is expected to bring the thermometer down to single digits after getting down to 9 overnight, and barely up to 20 on Friday with a wind chill of -2 tonight, and -8 on Friday.
Temperatures are in an updated forecast expected to get down to a 7 degrees, with a windchill of -5 heading into the holiday weekend.
Saturday and Sunday temps are up to 27 and 33 at the moment, per the National Weather Service forecast.
With this degree of cold, city officials are extremely concerned about what is expected to happen to the water system without the public’s help.
City Managers Edward Guzman and Stacey Smith expressed their concerns this morning over temperatures staying below freezing at this level for several days, and the likelihood of having burst pipes without ensuring that the system keeps water flowing throughout.
Guzman asked that residents keep a small flow of water going at all time throughout the coming days until the weather warms back up significantly on Monday. This will not only help ensure pipes don’t burst inside residences, but also keeps water flowing through the water plant, pipes around the entire county, and tanks recycle and refill without having the chance to freeze up as well.
Additionally, pets and livestock will need heat sources at this time. Bring pets indoors for the coming days, and livestock should always have a heat source during winter and food stored away to avoid issues.
Smith added via email that the City of Rockmart is getting prepared with the help of Public Works, who are already preparing to treat the trouble spots on roadways with salt and gravel. Georgia Power is standing by with crews in case of lines going down due to predicted high winds bringing down trees. Recreation officials have been busy winterizing their facilities as well to ensure no damage is done during the frigid holiday.
Polk County EMA officials also reminded that anyone who is using a heat lamp to keep pets warm to ensure it is away from combustible items. That would include items like blankets, hay, wood chips, wood or plastic siding on houses, and anything that would typically catch fire if overheated.
They also ask that if a pipe bursts in your yard or house, do not call 911 unless there’s a threat to life or safety. Water Department officials from either the Cities of Cedartown or Rockmart or the Polk County Water Authority are responsible for handling those situations.
No expectations of bad weather from snow are expected at this time, but as precaution officials do suggest that you have 72 hours’ worth of non-perishable food and water available for you and whoever is with you in your home.
If the power goes out, please crank your car and stay in it as long as possible to stay warm. Do not use a vehicle as a heat source inside of a garage or enclosed area, as carbon monoxide poisoning will occur under those circumstances. Please fill tanks with gas before the cold weather hits in case a vehicle is needed as a heat and power source for charging your phones.
Kerosene or propane-based heaters face the same issues when used indoors in a unventilated space. Be sure to have the batteries in a carbon monoxide detector changed and test that it is working before the cold hits tonight.
Anyone who believes that they may be experiencing the side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning should call 911 immediately and go to an open-air area, preferably outside if possible.
Also, take precautions if you do have to be outdoors against hypothermia and frostbite. Wear clothing in layers appropriate for the freezing temperatures that are coming, and do not stay outdoors any longer than necessary to complete a task. Be prepared to come back indoors and warm up before going back outside to complete any tasks you might have remaining outdoors.
Though roadways are not expected to get icy, do take precautions in areas that may pool water, and on bridges and other surfaces that easily freeze before the rest of the roadway.
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