Road safety a top priority as Irma pelts the Chattahoochee Valley

Officials and experts are especially concerned with road safety as bands of severe weather from Tropical Storm Irma continued to batter the Chattahoochee Valley area and much of Georgia and Alabama Monday afternoon.

The AAA Auto Club group is advising motorists in Georgia to use “extreme caution” while driving during the weather event and to delay any travel if at all possible until the storm passes.

“Trucks, vans, SUVs and trailers are more vulnerable to high gusts and could potentially be pushed around or flipped by high winds,” the AAA said.

“We expect to see not only an increased chance of rainfall but unsafe driving conditions as well,” said Garrett Townsend, Georgia Public Affairs Director, AAA. “Drivers can take steps to protect themselves before they travel, and while on the road, to ensure a safe commute.”

Some of those tips including always being aware of weather conditions, making sure your tire pressure is stable and you have a safe amount of tread to travel. You should also have an emergency kit, reduce speed as much as possible and avoid using cruise control.

Apart from high winds and slippery or flooded road conditions, the city has seen many calls reporting downed power lines and tumbled trees blocking traffic. Limbs and branches may present significant road hazards, especially in already dark, rainy and windy conditions.

Some traffic lights have also been reported as out of service.

Mayor Teresa Tomlinson has also stressed road safety during the storm, and urged drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible while the storm’s intensity remains high.

“People are staying off the street, which is good, but we will be stressing that this is not a curfew. We will continue to ask people to deter travel or proceed with caution,” the mayor said.

This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Road safety a top priority as Irma pelts the Chattahoochee Valley."