Cold Snap Tough On Tulsans Working Outside

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The bitter cold weather is causing some problems across the Tulsa-area from busted pipes to frozen fire hoses.  When it gets this cold, it's uncomfortable and it can be dangerous for just about everyone.  It is especially hard on those who have to work outside.    

On a cold day with temperatures in the teens, you'd be hard pressed to find a colder job than water line repair.  It is wet.  It's frigid.  And, no matter how much you try to dress for the weather, it's a challenge to stay warm.

City of Tulsa employee Dan Hall doesn't like the cold weather.

I don't. I don't.  But we gotta do what we gotta do," said Dan Hall.

He and others had to fix a water line on North Columbia.  It leaked when the cold weather caused the ground to shift.  That can wreak havoc on old pipes.

"We got to keep people in water.  That's just the bottom line," said Dan Hall.

Across town, the cold caused another bone chilling job on South Pittsburgh.

"I just don't like it.  But, at least we're not up North where they've really got it bad," said City of Tulsa worker David Horton.

Not only is the bitter cold weather keeping Tulsa street crews busy, it's also proving challenging for Tulsa firefighters.

Firefighters responded to a fire at the Heritage Apartments.  The fire, which started in a downstairs apartment, was caused by a cigarette.  The fire was put out quickly.  But, for firefighters, the frigid weather didn't make it easy.

"Laying lines on the ground.  The water.  Anytime the water is not moving, it is freezing up.  Any runoff that we have quickly turns to ice and just makes it a more challenging situation for everybody involved," said Tulsa Fire Captain Jeff Bacon.

So, on cold days, be glad for those firefighters, and for those like Dan Hall and his crew.

"Like I said, bottom line we got to keep people in water.  That's our job that's what we do.  And we're glad to do it," said Dan Hall with the City of Tulsa.

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