Suspected hypothermia deaths in homes mount in Texas

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JAMIE STENGLE and MARION RENAULT

DALLAS (AP) — With the snow and ice clearing in Texas after days of unusually cold temperatures, bodies are being found of people who likely froze to death as they struggled to stay warm after electricity was cut to millions of homes

Of the around 70 deaths attributed to the snow, ice and frigid temperatures nationwide, more than a dozen were people who perished in homes that had lost their heat, and most of those were in Texas. They include an 11-year-old boy who died in his bed in Conroe, near Houston, and two older men found dead in their homes in the small West Texas town of Buffalo Gap in Taylor County.

Taylor County Sheriff Ricky Bishop said his office received many calls in recent days asking for checks on friends or family members who may be suffering due to the power outages.

“I can think of probably one point in one hour we probably got 10 of those calls,” said Bishop, adding that some of the county’s roads were covered in 4 foot (120 centimeter) deep snow drifts.



FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2021, file photo, Eithan Colindres wears a winter coat inside after the apartment his family lives in lost power following an overnight snowfall in Houston. With the snow and ice clearing in Texas after the electricity was cut to millions as temperatures plunged as people struggled to stay warm in their unheated homes. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/houston-hypothermia-weather-conroe-texas-8323ab5f5c1612e632f7f2e6c2c20358

[no_hypocrisy]

1. This is a humanitarian crisis on the scale of a hurricane, perhaps worse.

Why isn't the National Guard setting up heating stations for communities? Even if it's bonfires outside or providing wood and/or cold to burn in fireplaces.

I understand all too well what it feels like. Our father bought a house on the bay decades ago. It was built for summer purposes, but he wanted to use it in late March/early April. No furnace, but a fireplace in the living room. A small one with vents built in. He had wood and cannel coal delivered. To stay warm (or trying to), we kids went outside in temperatures of 30s to get the wood and/or coal.

We huddled around the fire for much of the day but somehow you just couldn't get warm enough even with coats on. When the stove burners were on in the kitchen, we'd hold our hands above to get some relief from the cold while being wracked with shivering.

The worst experience was going to bed at nights. No electric blankets. The sheets were still moist with condensation and perhaps mildew. (No clothes dryer). Add to that the cold. I don't know how we managed to sleep. It was like being wrapped in damp towels in the cold.

I still don't understand why our father insisted on going out there under those circumstances. It wasn't fun. It didn't build character. It was just god-awful.

I think of the families in Texas now, without heat and without electricity and can guess at their misery.

[cannabis_flower]

3. Well

Almost everyone has power back now. Now there are many people who still have no running water. And the city of Houston is under a boil water order until we are told it’s lifted.

[Dustlawyer]

10. I managed to find bottled water today.

Was getting very worried because the water in the tap was straight from the river and very brown river at that. Our bottled water supplies were almost gone.

Cannot wait for a shower and washing clothes but one step at a time.

[cannabis_flower]

12. They finally lifted the boil order....

Even before that ,they said it was safe to shower but to make sure it didn’t get in your mouth. I took a shower at my friend’s house yesterday. And when I woke up this morning, my water was on. Still waiting for them to fix broken toilet that just happened to break during all this.

[RazzleCat]

4. that sounds horrid

I live in the mid west, we get the weather Texas is experiencing at least every couple of years (normally about one a year). I have no idea how they are surviving. Our buildings are insulated so our pipes don't freeze, most homes will hold their warmth for a day or so in bitter cold if they loose power (say if you keep it at 68 to 70, it will drop down to the 50's over a 24 hour period). The only common natural disaster we face is a big ice storm, then we can loose power for a few days, but unlike Texas, we have city/county/state road crews who can depending on the temperature, and conditions, plow, salt or sand our roads so we can get to a heating station, friend or family home who have power. Again I live here, I have the clothing to stay warm. Boots, coats, insulating base layers, even some lined water proof pants. I just imagine living in a home that is uninsulated (or not properly insulated for this weather), without a spare gas heater or fireplace, no "real" winter clothing and feel so much compassion for these people.


This disaster was so preventable, it was greed that caused it.

[forgotmylogin]

6. When they talked about marking houses that had been checked for bodies

I had flashbacks to the news from Katrina.

[ananda]

2. It really is. Worse in a way because of snow and ice.

During Hurricane Alicia in late August 83, I evacuated north for the first part,
but then I had to return to Houston for teaching. When I got home, I found
a huge tree downed in my front yard; and I had no water for 3 days and no
power for a whole week. But I did have my job to go to, which helped.

This time I was completely trapped in my apt for four days without power
and sub freezing temps all four nights. I started using my car for heat
and charging, which I did some the first two days. Thursday I was afraid
to walk on the ice to my car, so I stayed in. Friday it was so cold I just
managed to get to my car anyway. I was going to crawl if I had to; and I
l lived there till the power came back on.

I guess I'm used to crazy natural disasters and power outages, but still ...

[llashram]

5. and...

we will never know the true number of deaths from this republkkkan party created disaster. Just like COVID-19 deaths in republikkkan states and cities.

[paleotn]

7. When laissez faire capitalism literally kills people.

And not just in the sneaky ways we're all use to. Air and water pollution. Working people to death over a number of months and years. Stark and in your face for all to see. Thank you, free markets. Ugh.

[Xipe Totec]

11. laissez mourir capitalism - Let them die. nt

[Botany]

8. Why don't they just go to Cancun?

The Hilton has a family package for $309 per night and the restaurant has Lobster, caviar, and risotto
dinner for $100 although the wine is extra.

[Roy Rolling]

9. A language they understand?

70 deaths is almost 20 Benghazis.