TEXAS – Winter storms are sweeping through Texas again, and while this week’s weather wasn’t as severe as Winter Storm Uri in 2021, experts warn it can still shake up daily life in ways many people don’t see coming.
Dr. Fares, a Water Security Professor at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), studies how extreme weather, whether hurricanes, heat waves, or icy storms, affects communities, infrastructure, and public health. He’s worked on projects in Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Australia, and North Africa.
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“Extreme events impact several principal components of how we live. They impact food, energy, water, and health,” Dr. Fares explains. “Imagine energy is used to pump water to distribute it. And also water is needed for drinking… So if energy fails, then the water pumps fail, and we will not be able to get water, deliver food, or open stores. That’s why they call them cascading effects, one effect leads to the other.”
He points to Winter Storm Uri in 2021 as a clear example. Much colder temperatures than we see today caused gas and energy supplies to fail, which disrupted water systems and food access across the state. Since then, energy infrastructure has been strengthened. But Dr. Fares says households still need to be ready.
Dr. Fares points out that infrastructure plays a big role in whether energy systems hold up during storms. Power lines that aren’t properly maintained or cleared of debris are more likely to fail, which can trigger cascading effects for water and food delivery.
Similar to how communities clear waterways before floods, Dr. Fares explains that energy companies also maintain and clear transmission lines of debris. They diversify their energy sources so that if one location is affected by extreme weather, another can pick up the load and keep energy flowing to the community.
“If we don’t have energy, we cannot produce water. Ice build-up on trees and power lines can cause outages, which then impact water supply and food stores,” he says. “That’s why it’s so important to have some water reserves, non-perishable food, batteries, and survival kits ready, not just for drinking, but for cooking and other household needs.”
Experts also stress the importance of planning and supporting vulnerable populations. “Getting ready at home, having supplies, and making sure elderly neighbors have medication or help they need,” Dr. Fares adds. “These types of events bring communities together and remind us to care for one another.”
At PVAMU, researchers are not just studying disasters, they’re turning their findings into guidance people can actually use.
“Our goal is to help communities with their needs, food, health, water, or extreme weather. When people need us, we want to be ready to serve,” Dr. Fares says.
With extreme weather expected to become more frequent, experts say the best thing you can do is stay informed, keep emergency supplies ready, and check on your neighbors. One failure in the system can quickly ripple through a community, but being prepared can help everyone weather the storm.