Georgia Under State Of Emergency As Storm Looms

ATLANTA (AP) — The weather forecast is a familiar one -- but officials in Georgia want the impact to be different this time.

Freezing rain and snow are in the forecast for the Atlanta area over the next couple of days. And already, the governor has declared a state of emergency for nearly a third of the state. Schools canceled classes, and workers were told to stay home.

Two weeks ago, when people tried to get home from schools, businesses and government buildings during a snow and ice storm, thousands of vehicles became stranded overnight on the highways.

Gov. Nathan Deal says the state is exercising extreme caution as it prepares for the one-two punch of winter weather.

Some Georgia residents aren't ready to believe that the state will be more prepared this time. One woman who bought a shovel and a large bag of sand at a Home Depot today said she's "not counting on it."

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.