A powerful ice storm struck portions of the South, including Texas. Many residents had to deal with the challenging cold and significant power outages.
After recovering from tornado outbreaks in the South, Texans faced a new challenge: the extreme cold and ice storm.
It would have been manageable if the electricity had not been affected. However, the storm unleashed freezing conditions that froze trees and powerlines.
Challenging situation amidst power outages and extreme cold
February 01, 2023 in Austin, Texas by Brandon Bell/Getty Images
According to Associated Press (AP), ten casualties were reported in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas due to slippery road conditions as wind chills worsened.
AP added that widespread power outages were reported across Texas due to freezing conditions affecting the major power lines in the state.
According to the report, about 280,000 customers in Texas had no power (As of Thursday).
On the same day, the report noted that power outages spiked to 430,000.
The report said that about 150,000 had no power in Austin, Texas.
Texas residents are hopeful that the power will be restored immediately as it would be more troublesome to deal with the colder weather.
Due to the extreme cold in Texas and the South, flights were canceled, and motorists braced for slower commutes and travel delays.
In the Northeast, AccuWeather reported that a blast of the polar vortex and arctic would unleash colder temperatures on the weekend.
Cold weather safety
The situation becomes challenging when there are widespread power outages amidst the colder weather and extreme temperatures.
Prolonged exposure to colder weather would lead to cold-related health risks, which can be dangerous and life-threatening.
Without access to roads and immediate assistance, homeowners should always get prepared.
In addition, the increasing risks of colder weather would become problematic during severe winter or ice storms.
According to the CDC on winter advisories, staying warm is crucial during severe winter events. Winter storms can pose health risks, so everyone should be prepared.
Here are important preparations before severe winter storms.
Emergency supplies and bag
Homeowners should ensure that their homes have emergency winter supplies and bags in case of emergencies.
The emergency supplies should include medicines, extra blankets, flashlights, batteries, battery-powered radios, additional phones and power banks, non-perishable goods, hot water bottles and snow shovels.
Using generators should be operated with caution and care. Carefully read the manual for instructions.
You can also have it inside your car if you plan to travel amidst challenging weather conditions.
Furthermore, it would help if you kept an emergency contact when the weather worsens, or someone suffers from a prolonged cold.
The contacts should include the mobile numbers of your family members, hospitals, and nearest emergency responders and hospitals.
Staying warm
Homeowners should ensure that family members wear layered clothes, especially those most vulnerable. Check their temperatures regularly to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.
It is best to cover all parts of the body.
Evacuate if needed or look for shelter
If your home has no access to a heating system and is prone to challenging colds, it is best to seek immediate shelter. City officials also provide emergency warming shelters for homeless people.
