Be Alert For Road Obstructions And City/County Personnel On Roads Tonight

Notice: City and county crews and first responders are, and will be, responding to downed trees and powerlines and other wind related issues on Toccoa and Stephens County roadways this evening.

Please be careful as you are driving (if you must be on the road) to watch out for workers as well as road obstructions.

Also, remember safety rules regarding downed powerlines. Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power line, and don’t go near the pole or anything touching the line. Call 911 immediately if a power line is down. Always assume a downed line (or any line) is live, even if it is not buzzing or sparking. if you are in an accident involving a downed powerline, DO NOT get out of your car or truck. It is always safer to remain inside a vehicle, which acts as an insulator and keeps you out of the path of stray electricity. Call 9-1-1, and tell the dispatcher a downed line or other electrical equipment is involved. Power company personnel will be dispatched to the scene to de-energize the power.

Put your window down and yell to others not to approach the scene. They could be shocked or electrocuted if they walk or run over the energized area or touch anything that is energized.

If you see smoke, or flames, and must exit the vehicle, make a clean jump from the vehicle without touching it (cross your arms closely to your chest), and then hop with feet together as far as you can—preferably 50 or more feet away. Stepping from one voltage to the next can cause your body to become a path for electricity and electrocute you. That is why you should hop or shuffle once you make a clean jump from the vehicle. Always keep your feet together – think of hopping like a bunny or shuffling like a penguin.