"It's been 17 hour days:" Local tow companies getting record number of calls during bitter cold temperatures

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Many tow truck companies are having to help more people since our bitter cold temperatures decided to stick around.

The number of times some companies have been called over one day is equal to one month at other times of the year.

The owner of Royal Towing and Recovery says it's been nearly non-stop. "It's been busy. It's been 17-hour days for 10 days. I've been waiting for a warm snap here. We wait all year for the cold weather, and then we're done with it," said Pam Schmeling.

Here's a tip. Let your car run for 15 to 20 minutes or at least drive it for 15-20 minutes. That's to let the alternator charge your battery which means you'll be less likely to breakdown in the cold.