Pittsburghers Bundle Up Against Bitter Cold Temperatures
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's some of the coldest weather of the year so far, but that didn't stop some Pittsburghers from braving the elements on a busy Saturday evening.
With wind chills at times below zero, people bundled up against the cold and howling wind. Icicles formed on steam pipes.
And if you lost your earmuffs, it was nice to have a friend with warm gloves.
But there's at least one Pittsburgher out there who is enjoying this deep freeze.
What we didn't expect was this reaction.
"I love cold," said Betty Elias, a local resident. "I think people who go to Florida are nuts. I really do."
That though was probably a minority opinion.
"Even though she's my best friend, I think she's crazy," said Debbie Zitner, Elias' friend. "I absolutely hate it."
And so did the people whose driving skills were lacking today, but tow truck drivers probably loved it. The salt trucks were out in force as well, whether it was in private parking lots or on the highways.
Meanwhile, the Auto Zone in Hampton Township did a banner business in replacing wiper blades, some of which were damaged by ice.
"It had a hunk of rubber out of it," said customer Ted Barnes. "I think my daughter scraped it too hard."
Even some people who decided to stay indoors had problems today, including one homeowner who built a fire to help heat things up. The creosote in the chimney caught fire.
The house was saved and no one was hurt, but it brought a warning from the chief.
"Tip to homeowners, have your chimney checked yearly before you start using it," said Chief Randy Dolton, of the Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department.
With some of the lowest temperatures of the year, a similar warning to be careful using space heaters and candles in the home applies as well.
Officials are also advising drivers to take it slow and watch for icy spots on local roads.
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