Winter storm blankets Dublin in snow

Residents across Laurens County woke up to a thick blanket of snow today after a winter storm dropped as much as a reported 4 inches of snow across the area. 

Dublin remained under a special weather statement from the National Weather Service Wednesday afternoon as melting snow and near freezing temperatures created potential hazardous travel conditions. The risk remains through Thursday morning with temperatures as low as 17 degrees forecasted in the overnight hours. 

“If you must leave your home, please exercise extreme caution, drive slowly, and ensure your vehicle is equipped for winter emergencies,” the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office warned in a social media post Tuesday evening. “Stay safe, stay warm, and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve …”

The rare winter storm triggered a declaration of emergency across much of the state by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a slew of school and business closures and comes just shy for four months after devestating storm Hurricane Helene ravaged the state. Lingering debris and stumps from that cleanup effort now rest under a cover of snow and ice.    

With school closures extended through Thursday, local kids, and their parents, took advantage of the fresh powder coating fields and hills around town. Children used make shift sleds and large pieces of cardboard to speed down the slope on the lawn at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, while the rare games of snowball fights and snowman building spread in residential areas. 

Conditions are expected to improve through the week, with high temperatures in the mid to upper 40s predicted by the weekend.