By JEFF MARTIN

Associated Press

ATLANTA - After a rare snowstorm stopped Atlanta-area commuters in their tracks - forcing many to hunker down in their cars overnight or seek other shelter - the National Guard was sending military Humvees onto the city's snarled freeway system in an attempt to move stranded school buses and get food and water to students on them, Gov. Nathan Deal said early today.

Deal said the Georgia State Patrol was also sending troopers to schools where children remain stranded after spending the night in classrooms.

Deal planned a briefing at 11:30 a.m. today at the Capitol to discuss the state's "ongoing disaster response."

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced his own update at 10 a.m. today at Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters on Peachtree Street.