GWINNETT COUNTY — I spent Monday

tracking the impacts of an overnight ice storm that left parts of Gwinnett County dealing with slick roads, downed trees and scattered power outages, keeping first responders and power crews busy — particularly in Buford and north Gwinnett.

Freezing rain coated trees, power lines and elevated roadways as temperatures dipped near or below freezing. Officials urged residents to stay off the roads, and in Buford, many clearly listened. Traffic along Interstate 85 and nearby surface streets was noticeably light as crews focused on clearing debris and responding to weather-related calls.

In Buford and surrounding north Gwinnett communities, icy conditions led to brief power outages as ice-laden branches weighed down lines. Utility crews worked through the morning restoring service, with most outages resolved within a few hours.

Public works crews moved quickly to treat major roadways with salt and sand, focusing on bridges, overpasses and known trouble spots. Law enforcement agencies remained on high alert throughout the day, managing a small number of road closures and assisting motorists who encountered slick conditions.

Despite the ice, major roads remained mostly passable, though shaded areas and untreated surfaces have remained slick, continuing to pose risks. Interstate 85 through Buford and into DeKalb County was nearly empty for much of the day — a rare sight that likely helped prevent serious crashes.

Several residents I spoke with said they made the deliberate choice to stay off the roads. One told me they didn’t think it was safe to be out, so they stayed home, waiting for conditions to improve before venturing out.

Forecasters warned that much of the ice may linger due to continued cold temperatures, meaning some roads could remain slick into Monday. Officials are asking drivers to use caution, watch for falling tree limbs and give road and utility crews space to work.

As the winter weather system moves out, bitter cold is expected to remain in place, prolonging icy conditions across Buford and much of Gwinnett County — and keeping emergency crews on alert.