Extreme cold temperatures wreaked havoc across southeast Wisconsin on Friday, forcing business closures, causing water main breaks, and creating dangerous conditions for emergency responders.
At Rupena’s Fine Foods in West Allis, owner Maria Rupena was forced to close her grocery store after the frigid temperatures caused her refrigeration system to fail.
“It sucks. It more than sucks. It gives me such a bad pit in my stomach,” Rupena said.
The below-zero wind chills proved too much for the store’s older refrigeration system, which relies on gas pressure to operate properly…