Atlanta mayor, city officials share cold weather safety plans

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and ATLDOT Commissioner Solomon Caviness join workers in front of a brine truck on Dec. 12, 2024.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined emergency responders at Lenox Square to discuss the city’s safety measures for the current cold snap and coming winter. 

Two warming centers will open this evening at Central Park and Old Adamsville Recreation centers as temperatures dip into the low 20s. Warming centers open at 8 p.m. in the evening and remain open until 6 a.m. the following morning.

Dickens also highlighted partner organizations providing shelter to residents as temperatures drop.

“We have spaces for men; we have spaces for women and children,” Dickens said. “They get meals, they get a safe place. They get a comfortable bed. They also get some counseling. They have some support. Those things are open.”

Transportation is available from the Gateway Center at 8 p.m. and will return when centers close.

Officials from the Atlanta Fire and Police Department, as well as the city Department of Transportation also joined the mayor to provide additional safety updates touting an overall drop in traffic accidents and crime in the city.  

ATLDOT Commissioner Solomon Caviness said crews are working to prepare for cold and precipitation.

“We make sure that our brine trucks for solution get on the road as early as possible to get those temperatures up on the roadway, pavement surfaces, so that we don't have the icing and the slick surfaces,” he said.

ATLDOT works with the Georgia DOT and the National Weather Service to prepare for issues 72 hours in advance of expected icy weather.