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Area temps reach record low

3 min read
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The last time it was this cold, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president.

In February 1936, roughly around the same time, the temperature dipped to 2 below zero. The bone-chilling low was hailed as a record for the area until Thursday night, when a temperature of 10 below zero was predicted by the National Weather Service.

The freezing weather caused a variety of problems for area residents, including frozen pipes, frostbite and a loss of heat. Canonsburg Hospital reported at least three cases of frostbite through Wednesday. One of the most serious cases involved a man in his 50s whose car ran out of gas, forcing him to walk for hours in slippers.

“He had second-degree frostbite on both of his feet because of so little protection and that his feet were wet. He had large blisters on the undersides and had to go to a local burn center for follow-up treatment,” Dr. Brian Popko, director of emergency services, said.

Second-degree frostbite, according to Popko, is the most painful because, like a second-degree burn, nerves and tissue are severely damaged but still intact. Third-degree burns and frostbite usually result in loss of tissue or limbs, however, one wouldn’t notice the pain immediately because nerves are destroyed.

Popko advises waiting for proper medical attention before warming affected areas.

“Don’t try to self-treat in most cases. This is counterintuitive, but if you’re in an emergency situation and have been exposed, causing frostbite damage, you don’t want to warm it up or ‘defrost’ the area if you know you’re going to be re-exposed during that time. Defrosting then experiencing another exposure that results in frostbite is terrible. It will almost certainly result in an amputation,” he said.

Exposed, bare skin can be frostbitten in 15 to 20 degree weather within 10 minutes, according to Popko.

Dr. Robert Smith, assistant medical director of the emergency department at Monongahela Valley Hospital, said his department experienced an increase in snow- and ice-related incidents, including slips and falls and car accidents because of icy conditions.

While neither hospital reported any hypothermia cases, they remain possible.

John Mullins, service manager at Diesel’s Heating and Air in Houston, said bitter temperatures force furnaces to work twice as hard. Those who fail to have their units maintained are putting themselves at risk, he said.

“An older piece of equipment is more likely to break down,” he said. “The best thing you can do is to have your unit routinely maintenanced.”

While Diesel’s doesn’t track its daily calls, Mullins said the wait time for service Thursday was several hours.

“Our service technicians start at 7 a.m. and finish up when everyone is taken care of,” he said. “They’ve been very busy the last couple of days.”

But a reprieve is in the future, as temperatures are supposed to climb into the 30s Saturday and Sunday, National Weather Service said.

Barbara Murphy, president of United Way of Washington County, reminds the community they can call 211 for their weather-related needs. Since Monday, 211 received 14 calls seeking help with utilities. Last week, Murphy said 211 received several calls about winterizing a home. Given the weather, and the dire situations the callers can be in, Murphy said the number can be a vital asset.

“211 cuts back on frustration,” Murphy said.

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