ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on Friday called for a review of how the city responded to the winter weather that paralyzed the city for three days this week and promised to implement an improved approach for combating similar storms in the future.
The metro region saw just more than three inches of snow, but roads were choked with too many cars and quickly turned to parking lots as motorists abandoned their vehicles rather than battle the icy conditions.
During an appearance before the Atlanta Press Club, Reed outlined a new approach that includes a request for the city council to invest in new snow removal equipment and also hiring an emergency management head. But, the mayor, who was elected to a second term last year, also apologized for hardships many people felt, but disagreed with the assertion that they city was at a standstill, saying major arteries within the city were passable by Tuesday evening.
“I am deeply sorry and regret terribly the pain and anguish that many people felt beginning Tuesday afternoon and well into Wednesday,” Reed said, recounting his comments made earlier this week to WSB-TV. “I said my heart goes out to anyone who was stuck in a car for 12-13 hours, my heart goes out to the woman who gave birth on I-285. I said I feel the pain of a mother or a father who hasn’t been able to feel the warm embrace of their son or daughter because their children were struck at school on Tuesday night.”