City of Atlanta Storm Updates as of 1:00 pm

There is a possibility of thunderstorms Wednesday morning and early afternoon in the Atlanta area.  The City of Atlanta encourages all residents and businesses that have experienced damage to secure their tarps and debris to prevent further damage to their property.  More information about tomorrow’s weather forecast can be found at www.weather.gov.

Latest Updates:

Traffic Update

• Some traffic lights are still non-functional.  Atlanta Police officers will be staffing many of the busier intersections during the rush-hour this afternoon and again tomorrow morning if needed. Motorists are asked to pay careful attention to the direction of the officers.  Where there is no officer, and lights are not functioning, motorists are to treat the intersection as a four-way stop, giving right-of-way to the right.
• All exit and entrance ramps to Interstate 75/85 will be open.  Commuters are encouraged to use the Martin Luther King and Williams Street exits to ease congestion on the Courtland Street exit.
• Throughout the next few days, in order to assist clean-up efforts, police may close some streets for short periods of time, but most will remain open to vehicular traffic.

Street Closures

Downtown

All streets will be re-opened by 4:00 p.m. with the exception of:
Marietta Street NW between Andrew Young International Blvd. and Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW (front of CNN Center)
Andrew Young International between Peachtree Street and Spring Street
These two closures may be in effect for a few more days.

The following street closures outside of the downtown core remain in effect until further notice:

Boulevard S. E.
Remains closed from Memorial Dr. to Gartrell along the Cotton Mill Lofts.
Police have barricades in place – people are asked NOT to go around the barricades or police/fire line to view the damage. The main wall of the Lofts that sits next to the roadway along the portion of Boulevard that is closed has been deemed unsafe and unstable by Atlanta Fire-Rescue. This portion of Boulevard may remain closed as long as three weeks for structural repair.

Cabbagetown
Powell St. from Kirkwood to Memorial Dr.
Berean Ave. from Wylie St. to Memorial Dr.
Gaskill St. from Mauldin to Carroll St.

East Atlanta has a few issues remaining:
Patterson Ave. from Glenwood Ave. to Metropolitan Ave.
1300 to 1400 blocks of Glenwood Ave. has crews still removing trees

Police ask that people stay away from these areas as crews work to make the areas safe.

• Pedestrian Sidewalk Closures

It is vitally important that pedestrians obey barricades and police/fire lines (yellow tape), which are in place for pedestrian safety. In addition, pedestrians are again warned to walk carefully where debris may still be on sidewalks, and to be vigilant and aware of broken windows above.

• The following sidewalks will be closed to pedestrian traffic until further notice:
  Spring Street between Marietta and Walton
  Spring Street between Carnegie and Andrew Young International Blvd.

Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

• Members of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs are still working with other city agencies to get an assessment on the damages caused by Friday’s tornado.
• Starting Friday, members of the department were out clearing trees and cleaning up debris.  Early Saturday, they were accessing additional damage and providing emergency services by providing access to recreation centers. 
• Worked with the Red Cross to provide a shelter at Central Park Recreation Center.  The Central Park Shelter will remain open as long as it is necessary.
• In the initial reports, 98 trees that were down were located in right-of-way areas throughout the city.  As of today, 87 trees have been removed.  We are continuing to remove the remaining trees that block paths and throughways. 
• The Butler Recreation Center and JFK Natatorium remain closed due to tornado damage.

Department of Public Works

• Solid waste efforts are concentrated downtown, Vine City, Cabbagetown and Southeast Atlanta.
• 150 individual signals have been replaced or repaired
• 200 signals are still in need of repair
• Once funding for parts needed is secured/approved, all outstanding signal repairs can be completed within 10 days.
• Solid Waste Services is collecting debris placed at the curb.

Atlanta Police Department

• About 30 injuries in total; one firefighter injured
• At least a dozen additional buildings have been identified with glass hazards; in addition to the many landmark buildings in the downtown area
• Public Safety moving forward: Stay away from affected area if at all possible; Motorists must be cautious, take extra time, be patient and careful; Pedestrians should wear boots, and watch for falling glass.

Mayor’s Offices of Human Services and Constituent Services

• The American Red Cross, in conjunction with the City of Atlanta and the Salvation Army, opened a Unified Service Center Monday March 17 at Beulah Baptist Church, 170 Griffin St, Atlanta, Georgia 30314, for people impacted by the recent tornado. The Red Cross will continue to provide mental health services, health services, and case workers for one-on-one assistance until all emergency needs are met. The Salvation Army will provide family food boxes and lunches to clients. The Center will be open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Please contact the Red Cross directly for individual emergency assistance at 1-866-724-3577 (1-866-RC HELPS).
• Hands On Atlanta is coordinating volunteer clean-up efforts in the areas impacted by the tornado and severe weather. For more information on how to volunteer, please go to www.handsonatlanta.org.

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For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26