WINTER STORMS

Over 200 million people or around 60% of the population are under some form of weather warning or advisory from a “historic winter storm,” forecasters said Friday.

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Griddy, LLC for “violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act through false, misleading, and deceptive advertising and marketing practices,” according to a news release sent by Paxton’s office. During the February winter freeze, multiple Texas power companies left millions of Texans without power and heat during record-low temperatures across the state. As Texans struggled to survive this winter storm, Griddy made the suffering even worse as it debited outrageous amounts each day. As the first lawsuit filed by my office to confront the outrageous failure of power companies, I will hold Griddy accountable for their escalation of this winter storm disaster,” said Paxton. This is but a first step to hold companies accountable for the suffering Texans experienced during and after the power grid failure.

KPRC 2 Consumer Investigator Bill Spencer has what you need to know to avoid getting ripped off. In the midst of a weather emergency throughout Texas, 46-year-old Tamika Thomas is frightened. I don’t have no $1,200,” Thomas said. Burst water pipes are a problem many Houstonians will be facing over the next several days. If you have had a pipe or pipes burst inside your home, a certified plumber told Spencer you should expect to pay anywhere between $250 and $650 for repairs.

City officials, local outreach teams and other organizations are providing warming shelters and support for people seeking help. Houston:Lakewood Church, the Gallery Furniture store and multiple other warming shelters have opened in the area. Homeless outreach teams from the sheriff’s office, police department, and homeless outreach groups have worked to provide rides to the warming centers. If people need help outside of those hours, they can leave a voicemail or email homelessoutreach@sanantonio.gov. DFW:Dallas opened the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as a warming center, where people will be provided with a chair, table and light snacks.