ATLANTA — Residents across metro Atlanta are attempting to stay warm after temperatures took a dive as wind chill factors caused dangerous single-digit weather.
Thousands got on the road or waited in the frigid cold at bus stops to get to school and work early Wednesday morning. It was the coldest morning since December 24, 2022. Atlanta got down to 14° with a wind chill around 0°. Lows will fall between the 10s and 20s for Wednesday night.
Jaelynn Green walked her dog and shared her favorite tips that help her and her friendly pup stay warm.
“Make sure you’re layered up. Make sure you’re taking your vitamins so you don’t get sick,” said Green.
Trexler Curtis, who washes cars at Two Minit car wash, also layered up as he worked in the freezing conditions.
“I have long Johns on, two pairs of socks, three shirts and a hoodie,” said Curtis.
Wellstar Kennestone Chief Medical Officer Dr. Danny Branstetter said having plenty of clothing on is key to avoiding cold-weather-related injuries like frostbite.
“The danger is that those areas become numb and so we don’t realize how much damage is being done. So if you feel kind of waxy or numb to those exposed areas, that’s a warning sign,” said Branstetter.
Branstetter also stated injuries like frostbite are very common when temperatures dip below the freezing mark.
He warned against certain methods for warming up.
Avoid further injuring those numb areas
Avoid walking on those toes
Avoid open flames
He added open flames might make people insensitive to their injuries, causing them to burn themselves.
Dr. Branstetter says there’s another danger for people venturing outside during this winter blast.
“So injuries we see during this cold weather is usually ice-related. People want to get outside to their mailbox or their birdfeeder but they slip and fall on these cold surfaces,” said Branstetter.