ATLANTA – As Hurricane Helene continues its exit from Georgia and winds begin to die down, Georgia Department of Transportation crews are out assessing the damage and impacts to the state’s transportation infrastructure caused by flooding, downed trees, and downed power lines.

The current state of emergency remains in place in Georgia until Oct. 2, the Georgia DOT said in a press release.

“Georgia DOT asks for the public’s patience as we work in partnership with federal, state and local officials to assess the damage and begin cleanup efforts statewide,” the release said. “Flooding, debris, downed trees and downed power lines remain an issue statewide. The traveling public’s safety is a top priority as the department moves into damage assessment and clean up mode and advises motorists to avoid non-essential travel, particularly now when roads may be impacted and could be impassable.”

If motorists must travel and encounter a Georgia DOT vehicle, emergency response crew or law enforcement out on the roadways, they are reminded to move over a lane and give crews the space to accomplish their critically important tasks safely. Priority for Georgia DOT cleanup efforts will be placed on interstates, then state routes with highest priority given to routes to hospitals and other essential public services, the DOT press release said. 

With widespread power outages, if a signalized intersection has no power motorists are reminded to treat that intersection as a four-way stop. When a road closure is in place, the public is also reminded that there is a potentially life-threatening reason for the closure which might include high water or downed power lines, and for their safety motorists should not drive around barricades or cones.

Additional tips:

— Call 511 to report flash flooding, downed trees or other obstructions that impede travel on roadways or bridges.

— Do not drive around barricades that are in place for motorist safety or through standing water.

— Residents should never clear tree limbs, downed trees or debris from roadways. Live power lines could be tangled in debris and can cause injury or death; instead, wait for Georgia DOT and utility crews.

— Motorists who must drive should always treat flashing red and non-operational signals as a four-way stop.

For more hurricane safety tips, please visit Georgia DOT’s hurricane webpage.

For real-time road conditions, call 511.