How about 1993, 2011 or 2014? Our nine-hour treks home from work remain legendary. Some even spent a frigid night stranded in their cars.

Vehicles abandoned along I-285 during the 1982 blizzard.
Copyright Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Courtesy of Georgia State University.

Atlanta’s normally mild winters can sometimes give way to the Polar Express and when this happens your properties had better be prepared.

While a hard freeze will inevitably cause problems, there are many steps property managers and tenants can take to limit the damage.

• Water service to vacant suites should be shut off and all water lines drained.
  
• All outdoor water service including irrigation systems should be shut off and drained.
  
• Ensure that all under-canopy fire suppression systems are properly charged with air.
  
• When extreme weather approaches remind tenants to maintain heat inside their space.
  
• As soon as possible following a power outage water service to the building and tenant suites should be shut off and pipes drained.
  
• Pre-apply ice melt on sidewalks to help prevent ice from forming.

Contact SMS for assistance in preparing your properties for the next snow jam likely to come.

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