STAY HOME: Georgia Governor, Atlanta Mayor, GDOT Want Motorists Off the Roads

Gov. Deal signed a state of emergency declaration late Tuesday related to the winter storm and delayed opening of state government until noon today.

"If at all possible, please stay off the roads until conditions improve," Deal said. "We are working to get the state back to normal as quickly as possible."

In addition to Ga. Department of Transportation crews, city public works crews and contractors called out by various governments, Deal activated the Ga. National Guard to assist.

Just before 5 a.m., seven Atlanta Public Schools students were still on their way home after leaving school on buses many hours ago. In some cases students and school staff remained at school overnight rather than trying to get them home on icy roads. Public and private schools will be closed today.

GDOT reported that Atlanta was hardest hit; the storm caused employers and schools to release workers and students at the same time Tuesday afternoon, resulting in gridlock on Metro roadways. That traffic hampered Georgia DOT crews from treating the roads and clearing incidents; the Department brought additional crews from other less-impacted areas of the state to Metro and activated private contractors to help catch up.