Updated: Newnan Utilities offers tips to prevent frozen pipes this weekend

Updated at 6:15 a.m. Friday.

From Special Reports

With some of the coldest temperatures in years expected over the next several days, Newnan Utilities urges customers to prepare their homes now to prevent major damage from burst pipes.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City says that a Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for Coweta County through noon on Christmas Eve Saturday. Wind chills as low as minus-5 are possible here in Coweta County.

Temperatures have fallen some 28 degrees from 1:15 to 6:15 a.m. today and currently is at 23 degrees (at 6:15 a.m.). Add to that wind gusts up to 40 mph and wind chills can easily dip to below zero.

Today’s high is expected to eventually fall to around 16 degrees with consistent wind chill values at minus-4 degrees. Northwest wind will be 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35. Tonight’s low will fall to 9.

On Christmas Eve Saturday, the high will be 28 under sunny skies and the low overnight around 15.

Christmas Day will also be sunny with a high finally above freezing at 34.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy their holiday without experiencing the disaster of having a burst pipe in your home or business,” said Jeff Phillips, General Manager of Newnan Utilities. “We urge all of our customers to take (the below) easy steps before it gets below freezing to prevent major water damage.”

There’s a few simple things Newnan Utilities recommends that customers do before the deep freeze.

1. Let cold water drip from your faucets.

2. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

3. Keep the thermostat set to the same temp during the day and night.

4. If you’ll be away from home during the holidays, leave the heat on at 55 degrees or higher.

5. Lastly, keep the garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines there.

For more information on preventing freezing pipes, and what to do if they do freeze, visit NewnanUtilities.org.