Contractors Brave Cold Temps for Tornado Cleanup

BUFORD, Ga. - Fierce winds and bitter temps made the already difficult cleanup in one Buford neighborhood even tougher on Monday. A winter blast didn’t stop contractors from braving the cold temps to make progress on the mess left behind by last week’s toado.

All day long on Monday, workers lifted debris from damaged homes, contending with the strong winds and freezing cold temperatures. Many layered up before heading to work, and they say it helps, but it’s certainly not easy.

The chilly weather made it miserable for crews, and with no end to the windy, cold weather in sight, they continued to push forward with the clean up. They said their layers are key, and hats and gloves are just as vital as the equipment the cleanup requires. Crews also took frequent breaks to warm up.

If things were bad on the ground, they were worse on roofs-- with no shield from the wind. Still, some workers told Georgia Newsday it could be worse. In the words of one contractor, it’s not as tough as not having a home, like many of the residents devastated by the severe weather.

Things were cold inside the damaged homes as well. Many are still without electricity, and that means no heat.

There’s really no warm up in sight, according to meteorologist Joanne Feldman. Things are expected to remain chilly in Metro Atlanta until at least Thursday, and another round of cold arctic air will come early next week.