Crews Rush To Restore Power And Clear Roads After Storm

Electric companies are scrambling to restore power to customers while crews are working to clear downed trees and power lines after a winter storm blew through North Georgia Tuesday.

Georgia's electric membership cooperatives reported that around 115,000 of its customers in northeast Georgia were without power into the early morning.

Georgia Power reported widespread outages in north Metro Atlanta and northeast Georgia due to ice covered trees falling on power lines.

According to the company’s website, more than 48,000 people in the Atlanta area are still without power as of 1:46 p.m. Tuesday. You can track the progress of power restoration by using the online outage map.

Scroll down to watch a video of the Georgia Department of Transportation's clean-up efforts.

Emergency managers told the National Weather Service that at least a quarter-inch of ice had accumulated in Cherokee and Forsyth counties and about 250 trees had fallen in Dawson County, some of them on roadways.

What is the view from your window? Share your photos and videos with us of conditions in your area on Facebook or @gpbnews on Twitter.

Watch a video of Georgia Department of Transportation District One Communications Officer Teri Pope explaining how crews are clearing fallen limbs from roads.

Post by Georgia Department of Transportation.

Insurance Commissioner advises caution during clean-up.

Georgia's insurance and fire commissioner is urging residents to be cautious during clean-up efforts after the ice storm that struck parts of the state.

Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said residents should stay away from downed power lines and use extreme caution with alternate heat sources. People without power should make sure that other heat sources don't cause carbon monoxide to build up, and that devices are a safe distance from flammable materials.

Hudgens also advised people to protect damaged homes with tarps until permanent repairs can be made.

Tags: winter storm clean-up, power outages, Georgia Power, winter storm causes outages, downs trees, emergency management officials, crews scramble to restore power