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Abstract Winter Storm Uri, one of the coldest in decades, brought snow and ice to Texas along with record subfreezing temperatures for 5 days February 13-17, 2021, and was followed by Winter Storm Viola, which brought more of the same February 18-19, 2021. Millions of Texans lost electricity and clean, running water for several days, which some suggest was due in part to a state-regulated energy market. Many Texas schools shut down for the entire week, as the death toll rose from these storms due to hypothermia and exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, drowning, and poor road conditions. Not only were COVID-19 vaccinations halted due to impassable roads but also Texas hospitals struggled to provide electricity and water pressure needed to perform life-saving medical treatments for their patients. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the historic winter storm event, identify vulnerable populations and key public health policies, and highlight the potential environmental public health risks associated with the storms.
Introduction
This article examines the impact of Winter Storms Uri and Viola on vulnerable populations in Texas as well as the impact of public utility policies, highlighting those related to the Texas electrical grid and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Winter storms are defined as a weather event in which the main types of precipitation are snow, sleet, or freezing rain. There are clear links between the storms and increased injuries and deaths statewide from February 13-17, 2021, particularly in areas with people of lower socioeconomic status. Several lawsuits have been filed against ERCOT. We evaluated the role of public utility policy in the negative health outcomes related to the winter storms and the impact of nearly 5 million Texans losing power and 14.5 million Texans being subjected to boil water notices. The final report from the Disaster Mortality Surveillance Unit of the Texas Department of State Health Service identified 246 deaths related to the winter storms in Texas, with mortalities ranging in age from infancy to 102 years, across 77 counties (Svitek, 2022). Experts suggest, however, that the true mortality rate from the storms cannot be accurately calculated and the actual death toll was likely much higher at closer to 700 storm-related deaths (Svitek, 2022).
Winter Storms...