OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — Crews in Olive Branch were forced to work another day in the sweltering heat.
“The tools are so hot you can hardly touch them,” said Vernon Raines, who works for the City of Olive Branch as an equipment operator.
Experts said Thursday was the hottest day so far this year, but that didn’t stop Raines from burning up on this black asphalt to earn a paycheck.
“Usually you have to work a little slower, being as hot as it is, but still try to do it,” he said. “The asphalt throws off a lot of heat on its own, plus the sun is coming straight down on you on a job site.”
The heat index pushed 110, but crews WREG spoke to said they know how to stay cool.
“Just stay hydrated and keep moving,” said Bryan Ford with Luntz Tree Service. “Get it done and go home.”
Vernon said freezing temperatures can be just as bad, because he’s still working outside.
“It’s pretty much the same conditions,” he said.
But he said he would take winter over a summer day like this any day.
“You can put enough clothes on. You can’t take as many off,” he said jokingly.