Forsyth County Under Winter Storm Warning
Forsyth County is preparing for a potential winter storm expected to impact the area in the coming days. Forecasts indicate the possibility of snow accumulations between two and four inches with gusting winds.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Saturday morning (1/31) through 1 a.m. Sunday morning (2/1) for much of northeast Georgia, including Forsyth County.
County staff and emergency partners are actively monitoring conditions and preparing to respond as needed. Residents are encouraged to take precautions now and stay informed as the situation develops.
Important Reminders
- Sawnee EMC (770) 887-2363
- Georgia Power 1 (888) 891-0938
- Georgia Power: View or report outages through Georgia Power’s outage map on their website.
- Sawnee EMC: Visit Sawnee EMC’s outage map for updates. Regular information is also shared on their website and Facebook page.
Forsyth County Office Closures
Non-essential Forsyth County government offices and services will have a delayed opening until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2. The public and employees are asked to exercise caution when traveling.
Out of an abundance of caution, all activities at Forsyth County Senior Services have been cancelled for Monday, February 2. This includes both our Central Park and Sexton Hall locations.
Due to weather conditions, these offices and services were closed on Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1.
This includes:
- Forsyth County Administration Building/satellite offices
- Forsyth County Courthouse/judicial services
- Recycling convenience centers
- Senior Services
- Public libraries
- Parks and Recreation’s indoor and gated facilities
Road Closures
Cold & Snow Safety Tips
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially on bridges and elevated roadways.
- Protect pipes by insulating exposed plumbing and allowing faucets to drip during freezing temperatures.
- Keep pets indoors and check on neighbors who may need assistance.
- If you must go outside, dress in several layers and cover exposed skin.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Forsyth to receive timely updates about changing conditions, road impacts and emergency information.
Forsyth County will continue to share updates below as more information becomes available.
Senior Services Activities Cancelled for Monday, Feb. 2
5:28 p.m. | Feb. 1, 2026
Out of an abundance of caution, all activities at Forsyth County Senior Services have been cancelled for Monday, February 2. This includes the Central Park and Sexton Hall locations. Both facilities, however, will open at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 2.
Helpful Tips: Extreme Cold Temperatures and Wind Chills
4:18 p.m. | Feb. 1, 2026
As we continue to experience extreme cold temperatures and wind chills, keep these tips in mind:
• If going outside, dress in layer including a hat and gloves.
• Ensure pets have a warm, dry shelter.
• Help prevent frozen pipes by dripping faucets, opening cabinet doors to let warm air circulate, and locate your main water shut-off valve.
• Check in on neighbors, friends and loved ones, especially older adults.
• Keep a winter-ready kit in your car with basic supplies like water, snacks, a phone charger, an ice scraper, a blanket, sand for traction and jumper cables
• Bring sensitive plants inside or cover them up.
Stay one step ahead of winter weather by signing up for Alert Forsyth at www.forsythco.com/alerts to receive important weather and emergency updates.
Opening of County Facilities/Non-Essential Operations Delayed to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2
2:02 p.m. | Feb. 1, 2026
Due to current weather conditions, the opening of all non-essential Forsyth County government offices and services will be delayed until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2. Employees and the public should exercise caution when traveling.
The delayed opening includes:
- Forsyth County Administration Building/satellite offices
- Forsyth County Courthouse/judicial services
- Recycling convenience centers
- Senior Services
- Public libraries
- Parks and Recreation’s indoor and gated facilities.
Fleet Services and Roads & Bridges Worked Through the Night
11:00 a.m. | Feb. 1, 2026
Fleet Services and Roads & Bridges worked through the night Saturday, clearing roads and keeping vehicles operational in the extreme cold. Thanks for their dedication!
They are back out today, so be sure to give them room to work.
Dangerous road conditions persist, especially in shady areas, so stay off the roads as much as possible.
County Facilities/Non-Essential Operations Closed on Sunday, Feb. 1
3:18 p.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
Due to severe winter weather conditions, non-essential Forsyth County government offices and services will be closed on Sunday, Feb. 1. This includes:
- Forsyth County Administration Building/satellite offices
- Forsyth County Courthouse/judicial services
- Recycling convenience centers
- Senior Services
- Public libraries
- Parks and Recreation’s indoor and gated facilities
- All Parks and Recreation programs and activities are cancelled
Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency staff will continue to monitor the anticipated winter weather event and any additional announcements pertaining to closures will be made as necessary.
Severe weather impacts are anticipated to persist through Sunday or Monday.
For severe weather information, safety and preparedness tips as well as road closure information, please visit www.forsythco.com and follow Forsyth County Government on Facebook. Residents are also encouraged to register for emergency alert notifications by visiting www.forsythco.com/alerts.
Message from Forsyth County Sheriff's Office:
6:48 p.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
Road looks clear, but it's deceiving! That's black ice! Caused this car to slide off the road. Everything that fell from the sky today is now freezing making the roads even more dangerous. Please ya'll stay home!!!
Roads & Bridges Crews Are Out Clearing 1,200 Miles of County Roads
2:20 p.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
David Queen and plow operator Alex Payne from Forsyth County Roads & Bridges are covering a lot of miles today clearing over 1,200 miles of Forsyth County roads along with several other vehicles/operators! Thanks for the work! ... And we hope the heater is working in there!
While our roads team, deputies, and other first-responders are working hard to clear our roads - PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS. They are not safe. Our 911 Center is getting a large number of calls for avoidable accidents and cars off the road.
What you Need to Know: Saturday Afternoon
2:00 p.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
What you need to know (Saturday afternoon):
- Snowstorm is beginning to subside, however winds will pickup and the snow accumulations are not going anywhere soon
- County Roads & bridges crews spent Friday and early Saturday preparing our roads for snow/ice
- Crews have been clearing (where accessible and safe) Saturday and will be increasing plowing on the County’s 1,200 miles of roads (particularly in trouble areas) through the afternoon, Saturday night and into Sunday
- The roads are much worse in the northern end of the County
- The County’s Emergency Operations Center was activated Friday afternoon and continues operations through the weather event to coordinate efforts and safety crews
What YOU can do:
- Stay off the roads as much as possible
- Give road crews room to work with plowing and clearing
- Know when and when not to call 911 or the County non-emergency line (770-781-3087)
- Follow our page here, Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency & 911 and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office on Facebook for weather information and tips information
Message from Sheriff Ron Freeman
12:30 p.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
Plows and salt trucks are not going to get to neighborhood roads anytime soon. Do us a favor and stay off the roads. Any road with a curve or grade is treacherous.
See the full video here.
Sheriff's Office Dep. First Class Brandon Keenan with a Look at the Roads
9:45 a.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
What are the road conditions? Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Deputy 1st Class Keenan says, not great in this dashcam video.
Road Conditions Deteriorating
9:15 a.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
Reports of a small handful of vehicles across the County slipping off of roads have come in the 911 Center.
Road conditions are deteriorating as the weekend progresses.
Stay off the roads as much as possible as County Roads & Bridges continue to clear where possible and safe.
Drip Faucets to Save on Plumbing Issues
8:05 a.m. | Jan. 31, 2026
As temperatures drop and remain very cold, it’s important to prevent your pipes from freezing. Here are some ways to protect your plumbing:
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and shut off water to irrigation systems and outdoor faucets
Keep faucets dripping: a small trickle of water can help prevent freezing
Open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around kitchen and bathroom pipes
Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas like attics or basements
Know where your water shut-off value is in your home in case a pipe breaks. Learn how to do this on the Water & Sewer Educational Information page: https://ow.ly/Juxh50UCe1B
A little prep now can help prevent potential costly damage later!
Weekend Wind Chills to Reach -5° or Colder
9:05 p.m. | Jan. 30, 2026
5 Need to Know Tips from FCFD
9:05 p.m. | Jan. 30, 2026
Over the past week , the Forsyth County Fire Department responded to 3 residential fires. One was caused by clothing that fell on top of a portable heater, another occurred in the chimney chase.
Stay safe during this weekend's winter weather storm and extreme cold temperatures remembering these winter safety tips:
- Keep generators outside, away from doors and windows
- Have a 3 feet radius around your portable heater so other things (or people) don't catch fire
- Make sure your chimney is clean and use a sturdy screen to keep sparks from leaving the fireplace
- Do not use ovens or stoves as sources of heat
- Please stay off the roads as much as possible
NWS: Travel Advisory - Forecast Snowfall for Saturday
6:45 p.m. | Jan. 30, 2026
The National Weather Service expects snowfall in our area late Friday (1/30) night into Saturday (1/31), making roads slick as snowfall lingers due to very cold temperatures and gusty winds. Please stay off roads whenever possible. If driving can't be avoided, please be extremely cautious!
Family Promise of Forsyth County to Open Warming Shelter Friday and Saturday
5:15 p.m. | Jan. 30, 2026
Family Promise of Forsyth, in coordination with Forsyth County public safety, plan to host an overnight warming center for residents in need overnight between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 and Sat., Jan. 31, due to expected extreme cold temperatures. Visitors must check in at the Family Promise Bridge Center (127 Samaritan Drive) by 10 p.m.
See below and visit the Family Promise of Forsyth County Facebook page for more details.
Interested in volunteering to support this effort? Visit fpforsyth.org to sign up.
Hear from EMA Director Tom Cisco
3:30 p.m. | Jan. 30, 2026
Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency & 911 Center Director Tom Cisco provides an update on operations ahead of the anticipated winter weather this weekend.