Severe Weather Resources
Operational Guidance for Severe Weather Events
Severe weather can disrupt operations, create safety risks, and impact routes across Georgia and the Southeast. GTA provides consolidated, easy-to-access resources to help your fleet stay prepared, safe, and compliant during major weather events.
January 23, 2026, 10:00 pm Update – Click Here
January 22, 2026, 1:15 pm Update – Click Here
Winter Weather Resources
Winter storms can create operational challenges such as icy roadways, reduced visibility, and route disruptions. GTA provides winter weather guidance designed to help your fleet operate safely during periods of extreme cold or snow.
These resources may cover:
- Emergency declarations and regulatory updates
- Operational recommendations for cold-weather readiness
- Tire chain or traction device requirements
- Links to official weather and emergency management authorities
- Best practices for safe winter driving
Declarations of Emergency
Click here for a copy of Emergency Declarations across the country – they are updated frequently.
Georgia Information
Oversize permits may be issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday by calling 404-624-7700 or through the Georgia Permitting and Routing Optimization System online portal at https://gapros.dot.ga.gov/.
Tire Chain Requirements
For a printable document to share with your drivers on tire Chain requirements, click here.
OCGA § 32-6-5 allows the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to close or limit access to any portion of road during a “Declared State of Emergency” for inclement weather conditions. When such conditions exist, GDOT shall erect or post signage of adequate size indicating that a portion of the state highway system has been closed or access has been limited.
Once access to a roadway has been limited due to inclement winter weather conditions, notice shall be given to motorists through posted signage that motor vehicles must be equipped with tire chains, four-wheel drive with adequate tires for existing conditions or snow tires with a manufacturer’s all-weather rating in order to proceed on such section of the roadway.
Operators of commercial vehicles (other than buses) with four or more drive wheels traveling on a road declared as limited access due to inclement winter weather conditions shall affix tire chains to at least four of the drive wheel tires. Bus operators shall affix tire chains to at least two of the drive wheel tires before proceeding on a road with limited access due to inclement winter weather conditions.
Tire chains are defined by OCGA § 32-6-5 as metal chains which consist of two circular metal loops, positioned on each side of a tire, connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tire tread or any other traction devices capable of providing traction equal to or exceeding that of such metal chains under similar conditions.
A driver of a motor vehicle who causes an accident or blocks the flow of traffic while failing to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of OCGA § 32-6-5, when access is limited on the state highway system due to a declared state of emergency for inclement weather conditions, shall be fined up to $1,000.00.
Commercial Vehicle Operation During Hazardous Conditions
For a printable document to share with your drivers, click here.
Title 49, CFR, § 392.14
Federal and State Law require that extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction.
Additionally, speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. And, if conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated. Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured.
Regulatory Guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Question: Who makes the determination, the driver or carrier, that conditions are sufficiently dangerous to warrant discontinuing the operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)?
Guidance: Under this section, the driver is clearly responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle and the decision to cease operation because of hazardous conditions.
Take Note
It is highly recommended to maintain a copy of the declaration that the carrier is operating under in the vehicle and a bill of lading to help support their response. This will assist carriers/drivers with any questions or issues in the various states they may be traversing to respond to this emergency.
Hurricane & Tropical Storm Resources
When tropical storms or hurricanes affect Georgia or surrounding states, GTA brings together the information you need to plan safely and stay compliant.
These resources may include:
- State of Emergency declarations
- FMCSA emergency waivers and exemptions
- Routing and detour information
- Links to state and federal storm response systems
- Operational considerations for freight movement and staging
Check this page for updates during active weather events.