COVID-19 status report for January 20

January 20, 2022–6:20 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 262 more COVID-19 cases were reported in Floyd County, according to Thursday’s status report from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The new cases bring the total to 20,727 since the start of the pandemic. We are now at 2,784 cases in the last two weeks.…

Initial jobless claims rose slightly in December

January 21, 2022–6:16 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR First-time claims for unemployment insurance were up slightly last month, but they are still down dramatically from what we saw in December of 2020. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, Floyd County reported 160 claims in December, up from 117 in November.  There were 1,749 in…

COVID-19 daily status report for January 19

January 19, 2022–6:44 p.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 242 Floyd County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Wednesday status report from the Georgia Department of Public Health. The new cases reported from Tuesday to Wednesday bring the total to 20.465 since the start of the pandemic. Our two-week total is now…

Free at-home COVID-19 tests now available for order

January 19, 2022–10:25 a.m. STAFF REPORTS Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ to place your order.

Georgia gas prices unchanged

January 17, 2022–10:31 a.m. AAA SOUTH Georgia gas prices remain unchanged this week. Georgia motorists are now paying an average price of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Monday’s state average is 2 cents less than a month ago, and 88 cents more than this time last year. According to AAA, as crude prices continue to climb,…

[VIDEO] Northwest Georgia COVID-19 update

January 17, 2022–10:23 a.m. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH We continue to see high rates of COVID-19 cases in Northwest Georgia. Around two-thirds of those hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. In addition, about 80% of ICU patients and 90% of those on ventilators are unvaccinated Dr. Gary Voccio, health director for the Georgia Department of…

Wind Advisory in effect

January 17, 2022–6:04 a.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE A Wind Advisory is in effect for much of the state until 7 p.m. Monday. According to the National Weather Service, west to northwest winds 15 to 20 mph and gusts 30 to 35 mph are expected. Possible higher winds in the mountains. The advisory area includes north-central,…

Power restored to more than 110,000 in Georgia Sunday

January 16, 2022–7:03 p.m. GEORGIA POWER Managing through waves of high winds, snow and freezing rain, thousands of Georgia Power workers are restoring power for customers Sunday as Winter Storm Izzy continues through the state. Crews are repairing downed power lines and damaged poles caused by high winds, fallen trees and ice accumulations. The majority…

[VIDEO] Snow in Northwest Georgia Sunday

January 16, 2022–5:54 p.m. STAFF REPORTS While most of the heaviest snow was in Northeast Georgia Sunday, Northwest Georgia did get various amounts. The snow in the video below is from West Rome Sunday afternoon. Areas of Chattooga County got even more snow. Cherokee County, Alabama also received substantial snowfall, especially in the higher elevations.…

Black ice possible overnight and into Monday

January 16, 2022–4:24 p.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Snow showers and bands of moderate snow will continue through the remainder of the afternoon Sunday for much of North and Central Georgia. Snow will taper off in most areas this evening with only the mountain counties of North and Northeast GA experiencing any lingering snow showers into…

Georgia Power personnel responding to impacts from Winter Storm Izzy

January 16, 2022–1:30 p.m. GEORGIA POWER As impacts from Winter Storm Izzy are being felt across much of north Georgia, Georgia Power has thousands of personnel responding to customers impacted by the severe winter weather – safely and as quickly as changing weather conditions allow them to work. Winter Storm Izzy is bringing snow, freezing…

More snow likely this afternoon

January 16, 2022–1:14 p.m. STAFF REPORTS Although there has been a little snow spotted in our area, Rome and Floyd County has seen mostly rain. However, more snow is likely during the afternoon hour and into the evening. The National Weather Service says 1 to 2 inches is possible before the precipitation moves out this…

Chattooga County now under a Winter Storm Warning

January 15, 2022–5:07 p.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for Chattooga, Walker, and Dade Counties from midnight tonight until midnight Sunday. Heavy wet snow is expected in the warning area. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with lesser amounts in the valleys. The majority of the snowfall…

Winter Weather Advisory for our area

January 15, 2022–8:28 a.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for portions of Northwest Georgia and north-central Georgia from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday. The watch area includes Floyd, Chattooga, Gordon, Bartow, Polk, and Paulding Counties. Mixed precipitation is expected. The wintry precipitation in our area is expected to occur between…

AAA issues winter weather safe driving tips for Georgians

January 14, 2022–7:35 p.m. AAA SOUTH Sub-Freezing temperatures and the likelihood of precipitation may make for challenging driving conditions across north Georgia beginning Saturday evening. AAA – The Auto Club Group urges motorists to prepare their vehicles for an emergency and be cautious when driving in adverse weather conditions. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration,…

Georgia Power: Take steps today to prepare for wintry weather

January 14, 2022–7:30 p.m. GEORGIA POWER As North and Central Georgia brace for the arrival of winter weather over the next 36 hours, Georgia Power is monitoring the changing weather conditions and is ready to respond to any service interruptions safely and as quickly as possible.  Customers are encouraged to visit GeorgiaPower.com/WinterPrep for useful information on a…

Chattooga and Gordon Counties now under a Winter Weather Watch

January 14, 2022–7:21 p.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the northern portion of the state including Chattooga and Gordon Counties from late Saturday night until late Sunday night. A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue…

Chattooga Sheriff announces “Limited Access” for Office

January 14th, 2022 – 3:03 PM WZQZ Radio – (Via WZQZ Radio) On Friday, Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader announced that his office in Summerville will have “limited access” by the public.  The sheriff is implementing steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and sickness.  Sheriff Schrader told WZQZ News this week that he…

Latest on the wintry weather forecast

January 14, 2022–12:36 p.m. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE The rain will begin mixing with and changing to snow after midnight on Saturday night and switch to mainly snow over far northeast Georgia with a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow over the rest of north Georgia during the day Sunday. Light snow or snow…

Road work to continue for foreseeable future on Highway 27 at Taylor’s Ridge

January 13th, 2022 – 12:00 PM WZQZ Radio – (Via WZQZ Radio) Commuters between Summerville and Rome on Highway 27 at Taylor’s Ridge will continue to see workers for quite some time The ongoing project to stabilize the roadway isn’t going to be finished anytime soon. Joe Schulman with the Georgia Department of Transportation told…