Georgia DOT has prepared on a statewide level in partnership with the Governor’s Office, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service and state and local officials. With major inland impacts expected in southern and coastal Georgia, GDOT has deployed Special Response Teams including 400 responders in southwest Georgia and 400 responders in coastal Georgia. Based on the expected path of the storm, impacts are also expected in central Georgia, where GDOT has deployed 175 responders in east central and 175 responders in west central Georgia. GDOT has also deployed eight Bridge Inspection Teams in areas expected to be most impacted by Michael.
As Hurricane Michael continues to intensify prior to making landfall, GDOT is relocating crews at the Georgia/Florida state line back to safer locations. Once the worst of the storm passes, Special Response Teams will reenter the southernmost parts of the state to assess and respond to damage.
Preparedness
Statewide, Georgia DOT crews are prepared to deploy as needed.
- GDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) is monitoring traffic conditions statewide.
- GDOT crews in the northern and middle parts of the state have deployed from GDOT Districts 1, 2, 3 and 6 to southern and coastal Georgia to assist local crews.
- GDOT has enacted more heavily concentrated CHAMP patrols on portions of I-75 and I-95.
- Motorists traveling on interstates and state routes should be wary of the possibility of falling trees due to high winds. GDOT is actively engaged in the removal of trees and overgrown brush along state rights-of-way in an effort to mitigate the possibility of falling trees across roadways, a particular danger during hurricanes and tropical storms.
- Motorists should strongly consider using alternate routes besides interstate highways. Often during evacuations, interstates are heavily congested while state routes go largely unused. State routes are a viable alternative to interstates. Consult 511, state maps and wayfinding apps to determine the best, least congested route to ensure your safe evacuation.
Evacuation route map
- Those evacuating from Florida and south Georgia should consider heading west out of the storm’s path. Heading north into Georgia is not the only option.
- All construction work that negatively affects travel on the interstates and evacuation routes within the affected Districts has been suspended until 7 p.m. Friday. This includes GDOT District 3 (west central Georgia), GDOT District 4 (southwest Georgia) and GDOT District 5 (southeast Georgia).
Monitoring Road Conditions
Georgia DOT’s maintenance staff and bridge inspectors will be available to regularly patrol the interstates, state roadways and bridges to assist in identifying potential hazards or negative impacts to travel. In the event that flooding occurs, crews will have to wait until water recedes to assess the situation. If motorists see flash flooding, trees down or other obstructions on roadways or bridges impeding travel, they are urged to contact 511 and speak with an operator to report the incidents.
Stay Safe
The public is urged to take shelter as the system passes through the state. Major concerns for motorists are high winds, the potential for falling and downed trees, flooding and flash flooding, downed power lines, and possible road and bridge closures. If significant flooding occurs, the public is advised not to drive around barricades that are in place for motorist’s safety. Please treat non-operational signals as a four-way stop. Additionally, the public should monitor local radio and TV stations for the latest details on weather conditions and possible evacuations.
GDOT Special Response Teams approach their roles to ensure they remain safe. They will begin clearing impacted roadways once the worst of the storm passes, and will clear priority routes first to ensure the public maintains access to hospitals, trauma centers and other public facilities.
For more I-95 construction and travel information, visit www.i95exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-95, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Maine to Florida! Plus I-95 construction, real-time traffic and road news.
Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide, I-10 Exit Guide , and I-75 Exit Guide.
