Schools and businesses close Wednesday as officials warn drivers to stay off roads

After Macon received about two inches of snow, local roads and interstates remain treacherous due to ice.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A new chapter for The Melody

Our team and coverage are moving to The Telegraph. Make sure you look for The Melody's community-first journalism as a section highlighting the people, places and moments that are the rhythm of Macon.

A car in a snowy ditch.
A tow truck pulls an SUV out of a ditch along Tucker Road Wednesday morning. Schools and government offices closed due to weather conditions. Jason Vorhees / The Melody.

Macon received about two inches of snow Tuesday afternoon and in the aftermath road conditions remain dangerous. Even as snow and ice melt Wednesday, below-freezing temperatures Wednesday evening will lead to slick roads again Thursday morning.

Snow began to fall in Macon around 1 p.m. Tuesday and continued into the evening. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement warning of icy road conditions as temperatures remain below freezing.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office sent out an advisory noting road closures on Interstate 75 northbound/southbound and I-475. A spokesperson with the sheriff’s office said folks should stay off all roads due to unsafe conditions.  

Public Works will salt roads as needed. There is no estimated time for when roads will be safe again to travel, according to the sheriff’s office press release.

Local shelters, including Hello House, Salvation Army and Brookdale Resource Center, are operating as warming centers and have extended their hours amid freezing temperatures.

Here is a list of local closings:

Macon-Bibb County

  • Macon-Bibb County government offices – including the court system – will be closed Wednesday
  • Trash pickup by Ryland Environmental will be delayed in order to protect the safety of drivers. No routes will be run on Tuesday or Wednesday. Those days will be picked up Thursday, Thursday routes will be run Friday, and Friday routes will be run Saturday.
  • Amerson River Park, Bowden Golf Course and outdoor and indoor recreation facilities will remain closed Wednesday.

Schools

  • Mercer University canceled in-person classes and closed its offices Wednesday.
  • Middle Georgia State University will continue to operate remotely Wednesday.
  • Wesleyan College will also move its operations online due to weather conditions on Wednesday.
  • Bibb County School District canceled classes and after school activities Wednesday.
  • Academy for Classical Education will remain closed Wednesday and Thursday.

This story will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

Author

Casey is a community reporter for The Melody. He grew up in Long Island, New York, and also lived in Orlando, Florida, before relocating to Macon. A graduate of Boston University, he worked at The Daily Free Press student newspaper. His work has also appeared on GBH News in Boston and in the Milford, Massachusetts, Daily News. When he’s not reporting, he enjoys cooking — but more so eating — and playing basketball.

Close the CTA

Wake up with The Riff, your daily briefing on what’s happening in Macon.

Sovrn Pixel