Milton weathered a major ice storm with help from a strong team of firefighters, police officers, and Public Works crew who worked around-the-clock to keep roads and our citizens safe.

The wintry weather began the evening of Saturday, January 24, when freezing rain began to fall around the city. Freezing rain turns to ice upon contact with a surface – a surface that might be a roadway, a roof, a power line, or a tree limb that could collapse onto such a line.

The City’s Public Works team, supported by volunteers from the Community Development as well as Parks and Recreation Departments, worked exhaustively through the night and into Sunday morning. They treated major and minor roads with material to prevent ice from sticking and making travel treacherous. 

A second shift relieved their colleague on Sunday morning with a similar charge. Freezing rain tapered off in the morning; in the early afternoon, heavy rain began to fall. This burst of precipitation was followed by an hours-long burst of activity, as officers, firefighters, and Public Works crew (many equipped with chainsaws) reported and responded to calls about downed trees and limbs. 

In every case in Milton, they arrived and took care of the issue within minutes – and without the need for prolonged road closures. (Part of McGinnis Ferry Road, near Tidwell Road and just over the border with Milton, did shut down for several hours because of a sagging power line and malfunctioning lights.) Late on Sunday, a portion of Dinsmore Road did close as a precaution so that power crews could resolve an issue in that area. 

Throughout this ordeal – from Saturday evening through Monday morning – the in-the-field workers were guided and supported by those contributing to the Emergency Operations Center. This rotating group featured leaders of the aforementioned departments as well as others, such as Finance and Communications. Around 6:30 a.m. Monday, with the roads in good condition even after temperatures plummeted into the low 20s, a decision was made to reopen City Hall and other Milton offices for the day. 

The City is very appreciative of its citizens who heeded the suggestion to stay home during this ice storm. It was easier for crews for treat largely empty roads, not to mention police officers and firefighters didn’t need to respond to weather-related accidents.