As the storm approaches...

Walton EMC is warning the approaching ice storm may mean multi-day power outages for some.

This advisory was sent by email:

Several different forecasts and forecasters are in agreement that Walton EMC's service area has a high probability of seeing 1/4 inch or more of ice accumulation on Wednesday, with the National Weather Service commenting in their forecast discussion that we could see the most significant ice storm in 10 to 20 years. If this comes true, you can expect widespread power outages with the severity and duration dependent on the thickness of ice. 

You may have a small window to finish emergency preparations on Tuesday. Rest assured that your cooperative is planning and preparing and will do its best to restore power as quickly as possible in the event of a widespread outage. If ice totals approach 1/4 to 1/2 inch or more, with possible complications from impassable roads, you should be prepared for a multi-day outage event. 

While we do not seek to cause undue alarm, we do feel that you should be fully aware of the possible impact of a major ice storm and resulting power outages.

Walton EMC serves Georgia's Walton, Monroe and Oconee counties, as well as portions of Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke and Greene counties. The service area appears to fall into the extreme outage area on this map from US Weather Plus:

US Weather Plus operates a Facebook page and describes itself as a group of student forecasters.

Update: While I still take seriously the potential for an ice storm tomorrow, the forecast here for today has been revised to rain with temps rising from the mid-30s to near 40... And the kids are home for a "snow day." Forecast still calls for sub-freezing temps tomorrow.