While Chattooga County and all of Northwest Georgia remain under an Ice Storm Warning, the National Weather Service forecast for our area is calling for only a slight chance of freezing rain before 10 AM this morning. Early temperatures were running marginal for widespread icing, with LaFayette and Mentone hovering just below freezing at 31 degrees, while Gaylesville, Alabama and Rome were closer to 40. Summerville was sitting at 35 degrees. Those readings are a bit warm for freezing rain in many spots, but sleet could still fall anywhere across the area, especially in heavier bursts of precipitation.
As a winter storm moves into Northwest Georgia, emergency management and local agencies across Chattooga County are urging residents to stay informed, prepare now, and avoid travel if icing develops.
Families in Lyerly, Menlo, and Summerville can begin enrolling for Chattooga County Schools Pre-K for the 2026–2027 school year starting Thursday, February 5, 2026. Parents and guardians can register online by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by visiting the Chattooga County Schools website and selecting the Enrollment Center, with officials reminding families to use the Pre-K link and not the K–12 registration option.
The City of Summerville is preparing ahead of possible freezing conditions this weekend by pre-treating streets with a brine solution to help reduce ice impacts. City officials say all Public Works staff will be available, and snow and ice removal equipment is ready if conditions worsen.
In addition, the North Summerville Gym will be available to the Chattooga Resource Center to operate a warming shelter as needed.
City officials also announced that City Hall will delay opening on Monday until 10:00 a.m. The update was issued by City Manager Jason Winters.
Chattooga County EMA 911 says some customers with certain cell phone providers may currently have trouble reaching the agency on its non-emergency phone lines. Officials say the issue has been reported, but until service is restored, residents who need to contact EMA 911 should use one of the following numbers: 706-578-2244, 706-591-3012, or 706-728-4409.
For emergencies, residents should continue to dial 911.
With winter weather and colder temperatures in the forecast, the City of Summerville is reminding residents to take a few simple steps now to reduce the risk of frozen or burst pipes. The city recommends letting faucets drip at a thin stream—about the size of a pencil lead—especially for sinks on exterior walls, and opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to help warmer air circulate around plumbing. Officials also advise disconnecting garden hoses from outdoor spigots and using insulated covers if available. Residents are encouraged to make sure everyone in the home knows where the main water shut-off valve is located in case a pipe breaks. For questions or assistance, residents can contact the City of Summerville at 706-859-0900.
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate for December 2025 was 3.6%, up slightly from a revised 3.5% in November. GDOL said Georgia’s rate remained 0.8 percentage point below the national unemployment rate, and matched the state’s rate from one year ago.
The Chattooga County Democratic Party is inviting the public to a town hall meeting with Shawn Harris, a candidate for Congress in Georgia’s 14th District, set for Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Chattooga County Civic Center, located at 44 GA-48 in Summerville. Doors are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m., and organizers say “all questions answered” will be the focus of the evening.
Harris is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General and combat veteran who also previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps, spending roughly four decades in uniform before returning home to Northwest Georgia. In addition to his military career, Harris is a cattle farmer and has emphasized rural priorities in his campaign, including issues affecting small towns, veterans, and working families across the district. He was also the Democratic nominee in the 14th District race in 2024 and is again seeking to represent the region in Congress.
Event organizers say RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated for ADA assistance, and an email contact has been provided for anyone needing accommodations. The gathering is also being used as a food drive drop-off, with attendees encouraged to bring what they can, if they can.
Forecasters say a high-impact winter storm is increasingly likely across Georgia this weekend, with freezing rain and ice expected to be the primary hazards and the potential for widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions. The Winter Storm Watch has been expanded to include most of North Georgia and a small portion of Central Georgia, with the watch starting 1:00 AM Saturday for the far northern tier and beginning 1:00 PM Saturday for areas generally near and south of I-20. Both time periods extend through 10:00 AM Monday.
