Texas Weather crisis

Have you ever used the phrase "I'll do that when Texas freezes over!" Pooja delivers bad news in this article: you might have to keep track of your promises because Texas is recovering from a power outage snowstorm crisis. Follow Pooja as she gives us the details on Texas' condition and the political response.

Texas frozen over!

By Pooja Patel

In the past few weeks, Texas has been experiencing disastrous weather. The temperature in Texas dropped drastically and it started to snow. Many families lost their source of heat, electricity, and had limited food. It also caused the water pipes to burst, resulting in water disruption across half of the state. This weather has specifically affected lower-income communities more and has been hard on them. Since Feb 11, at least 26 people have died and many families have been suffering (CNN).

One major crisis that erupted due to this weather was the water crisis. In many places in Texas, the water supply has been shut down, due to water pipes bursting and flooding buildings. As a result, many homes and buildings have been wrecked. Many people are under the boil water notice, which means that drinking the usual tap water is not sanitary and must be cut out. Texas ordered 7 million people to boil tap water before drinking it. This is a dangerous situation for babies and hospitals and, overall, everyone who has lost access to heat or water utilities, who are also limited to a specific amount of food and items. It is said that the economic toll could reach as high as $50 billion and, according to CBS, there have been a total of now 44 deaths related to the severe weather.

In this dangerous event, what has the government been doing to help their people and communities? Many pictures have surfaced on the internet of Ted Cruz, the U.S. Republican senator for the state of Texas, and his family at the airport on their way to Cancun, Mexico for a vacation. This is disgusting and irresponsible of him. When his state and so many people are suffering and dying, Ted Cruz decided that taking a vacation to Mexico was the solution. Instead of coming up with a plan or relief solution, he decided to run off and leave the people alone in Texas. According to AP Top News, Cruz told the reporters Thursday night that he returned to the U.S because he realized that he needed to be in Texas. Cruz should have been more responsible and known since the beginning not to go on vacation in this crisis. On top of that, he also went on a vacation during a global pandemic. He has shown irresponsibility in so many situations now. Millions of Texans are frustrated and deeply affected by his actions. So far, President Joe Biden is making and signing a major disaster declaration for Texas that will clear the way for more federal resources.

Thankfully the temperature has started to go back to normal, but it is going to take a lot of time and financial support for Texas to recover from this disastrous weather. During this time, we also must help Texans and continue to put pressure and hold the senator and the government accountable for their actions and to come up with a relief plan. Also, the public can help by donating to many Gofundme pages that some families have set up for help or some organizations that are coming up with various ways to help the Texas communities. Some organizations that you can donate to are…

Salvation Army- provides shelter, food, and other necessary items to families in need throughout Texas.

American Red Cross- supporting around 35 warming centers with cots and blankets across the state.

Urban League- started the #LoveThyNeighborTX campaign to raise money for hotel rooms, food, water, clothing, and other basic indeed of the housing insecure communities.

Houston Food Bank- distributing food to those in need

Save the Children- is helping storm-damaged child care and early learning centers in Texas recover-also providing hygiene kits, bottled water, warm items of clothing, and COVID-19 prevention materials to shelters.

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