Over 14 million Texans still donโt have safe drinking water in their homes
HOUSTON โ More than 14 million Texans still do not have safe drinking water in their homes after a powerful winter storm burst pipes and knocked out power across the state this week. Toby Baker, executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, said the number of the stateโs 7,000 public water systems affected by the winter storm has increased from Friday to 1,445, but the population affected by those water systems has dropped slightly to 14.3 million. He said about 156,000 homes have no water service at all, which is down from 352,000 reported Friday. Kidd said the state has also ordered 250,000 meals-ready-to-eat to be distributed with another 5 million meals on the way. Kidd said Texans can also help the state complete its damage assessment faster by completing an online form to report damage that their property has sustained.
โFar too burdensomeโ: Abbott pivots to recovery efforts as winter storm exits Texas
AUSTIN, Texas โ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday prioritized the restoration of water and power to thousands of Texas homes still left dry and cold after this weekโs winter storm. โThis past week has been an enormous challenge, maybe unlike any challenge that youโve ever dealt with before,โ Abbott said. โIt has been far too burdensome for the lives of all those affected.โAbbott said about 165,000 homes are still without power, mostly in Central Texas. Abbott said he has also requested an emergency declaration from the federal Department of Agriculture to help farmers impacted by the storm.