Texas is currently experiencing what could be described as “one of the most costly natural disasters” of the year; below zero temperatures, power cuts, and no running water. More than 500,000 homes and businesses have no electricity and householders are having to resort to dangerous measures to survive the single-digit temperatures. The rise in carbon-monoxide poisoning is an indication of the high-risk alternatives which some are using to obtain heat within their homes.
The hazardous snowstorm
The snowstorm which is currently blanketing some areas of America is being referred to as ‘Winter Storm Uri; 73% of the lower Southern states (48 states in total) across America have been largely affected by the Uri which is observed to be the highest number percentage recorded by the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) since 2011. A record amount of snowfall has reached places such as Salt Lake City, Detroit, and several cities in Texas including Austin and San Angelo.
The snowstorm hit Texas on the 16th of February which brought with it an incredible amount of snow, glacial temperatures, and ice spread from coast-to-coast; some areas of Texas have even met with temperatures that have hit -15°C. Escorting the sub-zero temperatures, Texas and surrounding states have – and still are – experienced mass electrical blackouts. The electricity blackouts are a result of the disproportionate ratio between the supply and demand of electricity in Texas. The power grid in Texas was and is physically unable to reach the current demand for electricity during the snowstorm.
The effect of storm Uri
The energy usage in Texas is usually at its highest during the summer months and during winter, Texas relies heavily on natural gas which has been harder to obtain this winter amid Strom Uri. Once the storm had reached Texas, the demand increased, and the supply fell which consequently hindered the production of essentially all forms of energy inclusive of nuclear, natural gas, coal, and green energy.
Unlike other states, Texas is the only state which operates using its power grid and as a result, Texas is not subject to the federal regulations which may have better prepared Texas for extreme conditions which they are now enduring. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas – who are responsible for 90% of the power grid – announced that they would have rollout more blackouts across Texas to balance out the power grid and in turn restore electricity into homes.
The Baltic condition
The Baltic conditions within homes have led to pipes bursting, icicles forming in and amongst people’s homes, roofs caving in as a result of Texan homes being under-insulated. The foundation of the way Texan homes are built to release heat, not retain it which has consequently led to the aforementioned and residents combatively layering up and using dangerous alternatives such as barbeque pits and generators to induce heat within the home.
As previously mentioned, there has been a substantial increase in carbon-monoxide poisoning; Harris County in Houston has recorded over 300 cases of poisoning since the 15th of this month.
As well as experiencing all the above-mentioned, there is also an increase in food shortages within the state. The good banks in Texas have reached an all-time low as snow-storm Uri has disrupted nearly every single food chain within the state; supermarket shelves are bare; school meal programs have been suspended and the snow-blocked roads are a significant factor in the lack of access to food that Texan residents currently have.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the unprecedented natural disaster taking place within Texas and across America are circumstances some of us are unable to physically adhere to, however, there are services and donation pages which can be utilized to help those struggling during these times: 11 Ways To Help Texas Amid The Dangerous Winter Storm (delish.com). The following link displays a variety of ways we can contribute to help aid those enduring in Winter Storm Uri.
