Ice Storm — Lumpkin, Georgia

2015-02-16 to 2015-02-17 · Lumpkin, Georgia

Event narrative

The Lumpkin County Emergency Manager reported between a quarter and a half inch of ice accumulation on trees, power lines and other elevated surfaces across the county. Numerous trees and power lines were downed with over 10000 residents without power by the evening of the 16th. Many roads were blocked by downed trees and the county Emergency Services lost 5 vehicles due to icy roads and falling trees. One person died after having a heart attack when the icy conditions prevented an ambulance from reaching the victim for over an hour.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front pushed through the state on the 14th spreading cold and dry air across North Georgia. A surface low developed over the lower Mississippi Valley on the 15th sweeping abundant mid-level moisture over the state as it moved across the southeastern U.S. during the day on the 16th through the early morning hours of the 17th. Precipitation falling into the cold, dry air at the surface resulted in widespread freezing rain and drizzle across much of North Central and Northeast Georgia.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 565478. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.