Texas entered full recovery mode on Sunday after a winter storm At its strong peak it left over 4 million In the dark and nearly half of the state’s 29 million people are subject to boiling water warnings.
More than 70 deaths have been linked to severe cold and devastating storms that swept a large area of the nation last week, so what? AccuWeather Described as “one of the most stormy weather patterns in decades”. About half of the reported deaths occurred in Texas, but deaths have been reported in several other states, from Oregon to Tennessee.
The warming trend brought a welcome relief. In Tennessee, where Memphis was flooded with 10 inches of snow, temperatures soared to the highest in the 1950s on Sunday. In the afflicted state of Texas, Houston has warmed to the 1970s, and Austin is almost there.
Texas, where many power plants and water facilities were ill-equipped to deal with the winter attack, received the brunt of the damage. The country’s leaders have borne the brunt of the blame for failing to ensure the energy system can handle the stress. Harris County Judge Lena Hidalgo said her home had been without electricity for three nights.
It is worth asking the question: Who created this system and who perpetuated it, knowing that the correct organization did not exist? Hidalgo said, he is a Democrat. These questions should be asked, and I hope that changes come. Society deserves the answers. “
Winter storm is moving to the northeast: Texas residents will see better weather
More than 33,000 Texas homes and businesses remained without electricity on Sunday. Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, described the energy collapse as “predictable and preventable”.
Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, had harsh words for network operators and managers of snowy wind turbines but was less critical of the oil and gas industry companies that dominate the Texas industry and support his political campaigns.
Power plants struggled to operate in the biting cold, and some natural gas wellheads froze. The governor called on lawmakers in Texas to request that power plants be ready for the winter. On Saturday, he promised to “work cooperatively” with lawmakers from both parties to control energy prices.
“It is our responsibility to protect Texans from the sudden rise in energy bills that result from severe winter weather and blackouts,” Abbott said.
The water systems also suffered. Toby Baker, executive director of the State Committee on Environmental Quality, said that nearly 1,500 public water systems in Texas have reported disrupted operations.
In Austin, temperatures remained below freezing for about a week. Austin Water said Sunday that storage in tanks has risen to 72 million gallons, but that at least 100 million gallons are needed to help build the water pressure system globally.
“We urge water service customers to limit water use to basic needs and to follow mandatory water restrictions,” Austin Water wrote on Twitter. “Violations of these restrictions must be reported to Austin 3-1-1.”
In San Antonio, authorities said Sunday that water had been restored to 98% of the city.
Thin The Silver Lining of Austin and San Antonio residents: Lick Honest Ice Creams has planned to serve ice cream on Sundays from noon until 9 pm in its stores in Austin and San Antonio.
The company posted on Facebook: “It’s been a week for the history books, and we hope we can improve yours a little.” “We missed looking for you and can’t wait to see you again!”
I needed a break: Lick Honest Ice Creams offers free ice cream on Sundays
Help was coming from everywhere. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Dane, volunteered at the Food Bank in Houston on Saturday and announced that fundraising efforts for the state’s storm recovery efforts had exceeded $ 4 million.
“This is the spirit of New York, this is the spirit of Texas, this is the American spirit,” said Ocasio-Cortez.
Nearly 50,000 homes and businesses in West Virginia were without electricity. the number Almost 40,000 were in MississippiJackson is expected to have a temperature of 61 degrees on Sunday.
“The crew continues to work around the clock,” Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves wrote in a tweet. “The weather continues to improve with high temperatures well above freezing in most places.”
As power is restored across the state, Haley Vesackerley, President and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, has cautioned clients against slowly scaling up in use to avoid overloading the system. I suggest turning off the main appliances before restarting the power.
He said, “I know that when those lights go on, you’ll be ready to clean that house and wash those dishes in the dishwasher or wash your clothes.” “Do it in stages, (or) it could create problems again on the network.”
Most of Jackson, with a population of about 160,000, lacks running water, and officials have blamed the city’s main water lines that are more than 100 years old and not built to cope with the cold weather.
The city provided water to flush toilets and drink, but residents had to carry it, leaving the elderly and those who lived on the icy roads at risk.
In Tennessee, Memphis remained under a boil warning on Sunday after officials said they were concerned that a drop in water pressure caused by problems at old pumping stations and an overflow of a main water rupture could lead to pollution.
Said Josh Barnwell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service The shady streets of Nashville remained freezing and treacherous during the Weekend. Sunday’s 50 degree Celsius rise in temperature is likely to help.
“If this was all snow, it might thaw faster,” said Barnwell. “It will take a little.”
Contribution: Addy Broyles, Austin 360; Rachel Wegener, Tennessee (Nashville); Mississippi Clarion Ledger staff; The Associated Press
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