Kemp said the state had issued its emergency orders early to ensure proper preparation before the winter storm arrived in Georgia.

Snow is rare enough in Georgia that a few inches of accumulation can spark wonder in school children, but the fluffy white flakes can also be a major pain for those who need to worry about commuting to work or managing a household.

A state of emergency is now in place across Georgia ahead of the approaching winter storm. Gov. Brian Kemp signed the order, in effect immediately through Tuesday, Jan. 14. This allows state agencies to activate the State Operations Center and direct resources to areas in need.