New York City’s cold weather has brought some unexpected benefits for the city’s rat catchers. Normally, the city’s large rats are seen scavenging through piles of garbage. But as temperatures drop below freezing during a January cold snap, these rats become less active. The cold weather makes the rats stress out and seek shelter in their burrows, giving rat catchers a chance to do more work, according to expert Kathleen Corradi.
She explained that the freezing temperatures force the rats to hide, as their usual food sources dry up. With fewer people outside and less trash for them to eat, rat catchers are able to catch more of them during the cold snap.
Meanwhile, a powerful winter storm has been causing havoc across the U.S., bringing dangerously cold temperatures to many states. The storm, which has already claimed four lives, brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the southern states. Texas and parts of the Gulf Coast saw record-breaking snow, and the storm moved eastward, bringing heavy snow and ice to places like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Some areas in North Carolina are expecting up to 8 inches of snow.
With wind chills making it feel even colder, the freezing temperatures are expected to last throughout the week. Authorities are warning people to stay safe and warm as the storm continues to impact the region.
