As Winter Storm Fern approaches Georgia, bringing forecasts of freezing rain, ice, and snow to the state this weekend, state and local officials are urging residents to prepare for dangerous conditions.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency from Jan. 22 through Jan. 29 and ordered state agencies to mobilize resources to respond to impacts such as ice, power outages, and hazardous travel.
The city of Atlanta is preparing for the storm by conducting road treatment operations, coordinating transit services, making sure emergency medical services are available and opening warming centers, according to a message posted on the city’s website.
“As the City of Atlanta prepares for colder weather and the potential for ice and freezing conditions, residents are encouraged to stay informed, take precautions now, and be ready to limit travel if conditions worsen. Ice can be especially dangerous, making roads, sidewalks, and power lines hazardous even when conditions appear manageable.”
To keep residents safe from these hazardous conditions, counties across the city have opened doors to their respective warming centers. The following warming centers are open throughout the metro area during the upcoming storm.
Clayton
Now Faith Apostolic Ministries
Address: 3406 Rex Road, Rex
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Jan. 28, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Clayton County Police Department Headquarters
Address: 7911 N. McDonough St., Jonesboro
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Jan. 28, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Forest Park Rec and Leisure Center
Address: 803 Forest Parkway, Forest Park
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 and Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Jan. 26, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Jan. 27 to Jan. 30, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center
Address: 3499 Rex Road, Rex
Hours of Operation: Jan. 23, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Jan 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jim Huie Recreation Center & Steve Lundquist Aquatic Center
Address: 9045 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro
Hours of Operation: Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Virginia Gray Recreation Center
Address: 1475 E. Fayetteville Road, Riverdale
Hours of Operation: Jan. 23, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
South Clayton Recreation Center
Address: 1837 McDonough Road, Hampton
Hours of Operation: Hours of Operation: Jan. 23, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cobb
MUST Hope House
Address: 1297 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Feb. 3; residents are advised to be at the shelter by 8 p.m.
Transportation assistance to the shelter is available through transit vouchers provided by Cobb County at Reflections of Trinity, 4037 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Powder Springs. Call (770) 222-6511.
DeKalb
Exchange Recreation Center
Address: 2771 Columbia Drive #2771, Decatur
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, open 24/7 beginning at 6 a.m.
Frontline Response International
Address: 2585 Gresham Road SE, Atlanta
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, open 24/7 beginning at 6 a.m.
St. Vincent de Paul
Address: 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 through Jan. 26, open 24/7 beginning at 6 a.m.
Tobie Grant Recreation Center
Address: 593 Parkdale Drive, Scottdale
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, open 24/7 beginning at 6 a.m.
Fulton
Burdett Park Warming Center
Address: 2945 Burdett Road, South Fulton
Hours of Operation: Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Central Park Recreation Center
Address: 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta
Hours of operation: Opening Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.
Old Adamsville Recreation Center
Address: 3404 Delmar Lane NW, Atlanta
Hours of Operation: Opens Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.
Selena S. Butler Park (women and children only)
Address: 98 William Holmes Borders Drive SE, Atlanta
Hours of Operation: Opens Jan. 24 at 8 p.m.
Gwinnett
Gwinnett County’s warming centers will open when temperatures drop to 35 degrees or below.
Best Friend Park Gym
Address: 6224 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross
Hours of Operation: 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Buford Senior Center
Address: 2755 Sawnee Ave., Buford
Hours of Operation: 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road
Address: 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville
Hours of Operation: 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Lawrenceville Senior Center
Address: 225 Benson St., Lawrenceville
Hours of Operation: 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Shorty Howell Park Activity Building
Address: 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth
Hours of Operation: 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
This story has been updated.
