Drivers in Georgia had to spend the night at a gas station as icy roads cause chaos
- Unprecedented winter weather forced drivers to abandon their vehicles
- Many drivers slept overnight in gas stations
- Emergency services suffered and had to deal with other disasters including the weather
Published on Jan 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Jan 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
Severe winter weather in central Georgia caused traffic chaos yesterday as dozens of drivers were forced to abandon their cars and sleep at a gas station.
They had to wait twelve hours for the icy roads to thaw enough to drive on.
Despite efforts by residents to grit the road, the surface remained dangerously frozen.
Local authorities struggled to deal with the unprecedented wintery conditions and urged citizens to shelter in place and stay off the roads as much as possible.
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Spending the night at a gas station
After abandoning their vehicles on the icy roads, as they were much too dangerous to drive on, drivers sought shelter in gas stations in Georgia, little did they know it would be almost 12 hours before it was safe enough to rescue their vehicles.
Local residents made attempts to anticipate the icy weather, but the sheer chaos caused by the conditions showed that it was far worse than anyone could have expected.
Road grit was almost completely ineffective and some residents even took to spreading dirt on the roads to try and increase friction.
Emergency services were overwhelmed
Not only were the icy conditions unmanageable for the drivers, but the emergency services had to respond to hundreds of 911 calls.
In addition to the icy roads, there was a local fire and a woman in labor who was on her way to hospital who had to be rescued.
This led to the stranding of various emergency service vehicles along with the drivers.
Even the rescue vehicles were struggling, unlike this school bus’ savior.
Local authorities were completely bewildered, and asked drivers to stay off the roads, and as much as possible, shelter in place until the winter storm passed.
While there were luckily no casualties, this works as a cautionary tale, if your vehicle is unprepared for the winter weather, you might end up sleeping in a gas station.
Daisy Edwards is a journalist who started her media career after graduating with a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London. A dissertation about EVs and five years of experience writing about literature, history and politics later, she now writes for Supercar Blondie. Outside of work, she has a passion for country music, dogs and all things tech.
