By Glenda Tsai

A series of Texas snow and ice storms have put over 4 million people without power since February 10, 2021. The record low of -20oC has left many Texans to have an electricity, water, and food shortage. While power is slowly being restored, many Texans are being sent to the emergency room due to illnesses in relation to a lack of heat. An influx of hospitalizations have drastically limited many medical resources. In some cases, bottled water had to be used for chemotherapy treatments. There have been over 70 confirmed deaths that have been linked to the intense cold, and over 50 from carbon monoxide poisoning, as citizens tried to warm themselves with their car engines.

The snow storm has not only inconvenienced millions of people, but it has also significantly delayed vaccine distributions. Over 2,000 vaccination sites lost power, causing more than 700,000 doses to be delayed in Texas and 6 million doses nationally. Unfortunately, these vaccines cannot be shipped until the weather improves.

Many Texans are still without clean drinking water. 100 million gallons from the city’s reservoirs were nearly empty after burst pipes caused much of that water to leak out. Burst pipes were also common in households, causing flooding and water damage.

To help out those in Texas, you can donate to The Houston Food Bank, and the Austin Disaster Relief Network, who will provide emergency housing, food and supplies. Please keep those suffering in Texas in your prayers, and hope that they will recover soon!