The Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management partially activated the Emergency Operations Center on Monday morning and had first responder agencies monitoring the weather and icy road conditions.
Local police and fire departments were responding to multiple vehicle accidents around the area as the roads became slick with ice.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office was asking motorists to take caution when driving and allow extra time to reach their destination. If at all possible, motorists should avoid driving until warmer temperatures help to melt the ice.
A 35-vehicle crash occurred in Catoosa County on I-75 North, closing both north and south-bound lanes.
The major wreck was near Exit 345. At 6:44 a.m., deputies received a call of a multiple car accident on Interstate 75 northbound at mile marker 346. Deputies arrived on the scene to find approximately 35 vehicles involved in an accident that closed northbound Interstate 75 for about four hours.
15 individuals were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, 4 to Hamilton Medical, 5 to Erlanger and 6 to Memorial GA (formerly Cornerstone). 14 additional individuals were transported by bus from the scene to a reunification location with family. Georgia DOT is on the scene with salt trucks and assisting, along with Georgia Emergency Management, with approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel that was spilled. Initial thought is that the accident is weather related but the Georgia State Patrol is investigating to determine the actual cause.
Other accidents have been reported at I-75, I-24 headed south. Another accident was at Highway 153 South and Shallowford Road. Numerous accidents have been reported on mountain roads and all over the county due to ice.
The W Road and Roberts Mill Road were closed due to icy conditions. The W Road had reopened by 3 p.m. Roberts Mill Road will remain closed until Tuesday.
On Monday morning, TDOT was reporting the following incidents:
State Route 153 southbound in Hamilton County - Crash - Multiple Vehicles at SR-317 BONNY OAKS DR. reported at 8:03 AM 1/8/2018 and estimated to be cleared by 10:00 AM 1/8/2018 (Eastern Time Zone). Southbound traffic is affected with right lane blocked. Northbound traffic is affected with no delays.
Interstate 75 northbound in Bradley County - Crash - Multiple Vehicles at MILE MARKER 16 (Mile Marker: 16) reported at 7:27 AM 1/8/2018 and estimated to be cleared by 9:00 AM 1/8/2018 (Eastern Time Zone). Northbound traffic is affected with right lane blocked. Southbound traffic is affected with no delays.
Interstate 24 westbound in Hamilton County - Crash at I-75 RT. & LT. reported at 7:35 AM 1/8/2018 and estimated to be cleared by 9:00 AM 1/8/2018 (Eastern Time Zone). Westbound traffic is affected with shoulder blocked - inside. Eastbound traffic is affected with no delays.
State Route 8 northbound in Sequatchie County - Incident between CLEAR BROOKS DR. and SEQUATCHIE-VAN BUREN COUNTY LINE reported at 7:30 AM 1/8/2018 and estimated to be cleared by 3:00 PM 1/8/2018 (Central Time Zone). Northbound traffic is affected with roadway closed. Southbound traffic is affected with no delays.
State Route 8 northbound in Sequatchie County - Incident between CLEAR BROOKS DR. and SEQUATCHIE-VAN BUREN COUNTY LINE reported at 7:30 AM 1/8/2018 and estimated to be cleared by 3:00 PM 1/8/2018 (Central Time Zone). Northbound traffic is affected with roadway closed. Southbound traffic is affected with no delays.
Interstate 24 westbound in Grundy County - Crash - Multiple Vehicles at MILE MARKER 133 (Mile Marker: 133) reported at 5:39 AM 1/8/2018 and estimated to be cleared by 9:39 AM 1/8/2018 (Central Time Zone). Westbound traffic is affected with right lane blocked. Eastbound traffic is affected with no delays.