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Working in freezing temperatures

Posted at 6:24 PM, Dec 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-16 18:24:56-05

NORFOLK, Va. - Some workers can't avoid the bitter temperatures when their job requires them to be outside. They wear layer after layer, creating a barrier against the cold.

"I have this jacket on, this jacket's great, it blocks out a lot of rain, wind. There's this one. Then I have a second jacket, this one is great as well," said Coty Mills, who is a Downtown Norfolk Ambassador.

He has to be outside. His job is to walk the streets and help visitors. Rain, sleet or snow he's outside. Before he and other ambassadors head out, the Downtown Norfolk Council make sure they are properly dressed and stay safe in the cold.

"Not only should we, but we have to go inside frequently to stay warm.  Cause if we're sick, we're no good to anybody," said Mills.

Downtown ambassadors aren't the only ones taking to the streets during the cold. Shane Symonds is a driver with Order Up, a food delivery service. While others avoid the cold, he said days with bad weather mean more business for him.

"If I'm working, I want to see bad weather when I wake up, pretty much," said Symonds.

The owner of Order Up in Hampton Roads said their business actually surges during bad weather.

"Once the temperature goes down, it just keeps going up and increasing. It's pretty much always on track with the weather," said Whitney Louk.

City of Norfolk employees are also keeping an eye out for each other and potential hazards including ice during bitter cold temperatures.