Chattahoochee National Forest Impacted by Winter Weather Contact(s): Valencia Morris, 706-745-6928 ext. 118

Blairsville, Ga. (February 18, 2015) – The Blue Ridge Ranger District of the USDA Forest Service has conducted preliminary assessments of National Forest lands following this week’s winter weather. Forest Service Roads 880, 55, 129, 877A, 28-2, 77, 28-1, 28G, 142, 872, 83 and 28F are impassable due to downed trees that have accumulated one to two inches of ice. As a result, the Jake and Bull Trail System Trail System in Lumpkin County is closed due to impassable roads and hazardous conditions. Forest Service personnel began removing downed trees for emergency access to private residences along the above Forest Service roads; however, predicted weather conditions and high winds will make removal of additional downed trees unsafe. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a wind advisory and winter weather advisory in effect from 11:00 AM this morning to 7:00 PM EST this evening for Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union, Towns, and Dawson Counties. Forest Service Roads within the advisory area will present hazardous conditions, as trees compromised with ice and snow pose a threat to travel. Sustained West to Northwest winds of 20-25 mph with gusts of 30-35 mph are possible until late this evening, posing the threat of downed power lines and trees along Forest Service roads within these areas. The public is advised to adhere to the weather and road condition warnings by delaying travel to these portions of the Chattahoochee National Forest, especially the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail. A wind chill warning issued by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City will be in effect until noon on Thursday, February 19, 2015, which could make travel along the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails extremely dangerous. For more information and instant alerts, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/ or contact Valencia Morris at (706) 745-6928 ext. 118. For online maps of the National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/maps-pubs. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is part of the Southern Region, with the Forest Supervisor’s office in Gainesville, Georgia, managing four District units in Blairsville (Blue Ridge District), Lakemont (Chattooga River District), Chatsworth (Conasauga District), and Eatonton (Oconee District). # # #



