Zombie Survival Guide: Stay away from Cumberland

Atlanta residents may have a reason to use the CDC’s Zombie Preparedness Kit as scores of zombies descended on the Cumberland area today.

The zombies were part of the 160-person film crew that was filming the second season of the AMC television series “The Walking Dead.” All 13 episodes of the show’s second season will film in and around the Metro Atlanta area, said AMC’s unit publicist. The filming, along with other projects in the state, brings with it an estimated $2.1 billion economic impact in Georgia.

Filming was done at the Riverwood office park at the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Riverwood Parkway for several hours Monday morning. Have you been out to take a peek at the filming? If so, Smyrna-Vinings Patch would love to see your pics and hear your thoughts, so please share!

“The Walking Dead,” which is set in Atlanta, centers on a sheriff who awakes from a coma only to find himself alone in a world engulfed by a zombie epidemic.

When asked why AMC chose to film on location, AMC’s representative, who asked not to be identified, explained that it had everything to do with Atlanta’s Southern hospitality.

“I do know they chose to come back to Atlanta because the city was so nice to production,” she said.

Roads in the Cumberland Mall area will be closed today until 9 p.m. due to filming and the threat zombies pose to commuters. The roads subject to the closure include Cobb Galleria Parkway from Akers Mill Road to Cumberland Boulevard; Riverwood Parkway from Cobb Galleria Parkway to Cobb Parkway; and at Cobb Parkway and Riverwood Parkway.

Cobb Police officers are monitoring barricades at the entrances to these roads in order to keep the zombies contained, but also to keep commuters from interrupting filming.

“Production works with the DOT (Department of Transportation) on all road closures,” AMC’s unit publicist said. “And the DOT helps notify people in advance so they know what to expect in their morning commute.”