Bitter cold weather strikes the Roanoke Valley

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Volunteers and workers braved the freezing temperatures in the Roanoke Valley.

Nearly two dozen students from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine went out in the bitter cold to give back to the community in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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"Because of the cold we're probably going to stick inside, but the goal is to ready the house for those in need," said Tarangi Sutaria, student at VTC.

While the students could work inside, not all crews had that option. Workers with the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority worked outside installing fiber optic cable.

"It's rough, especially downtown with these buildings and the wind cutting through," said Rick Skidmore, construction supervisor with Underground Services. "This morning it was all shady and no sun at all. At least now, we're getting a little sun."

Workers said it's all about dressing for the job when they know they'll spend hours in the elements.

"Your head is where you lose most of your heat," said Roanoke City Bike Patrol Officer Ronald Robinson. "So, you get a nice hat and gloves. A lot of people's extremities go bad pretty fast."

Police warn people to bundle up when it gets cold outside, even if it's only a quick trip outside.