A brutal winter storm has wreaked havoc across Texas, forcing the state's power grid to the brink of collapse and leaving millions of residents shivering in the dark. The extreme weather has triggered rolling blackouts as demand for electricity surges while supply dwindles.
State of Emergency Declared
Officials in Fort Worth and other major cities have declared a state of emergency as temperatures plummet to record lows. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages the state's power grid, has implemented emergency measures to prevent a complete system failure.
Residents Struggle to Stay Warm
With power outages expected to last for days, Texans are facing dangerous conditions. Many have resorted to burning furniture for warmth or sheltering in their cars to avoid freezing temperatures indoors.
- Over 4 million customers without power
- Temperatures dropping to -18°C in some areas
- Roads rendered impassable by ice and snow
Grid Operator Under Fire
ERCOT is facing mounting criticism for its failure to winterize the power grid despite similar outages occurring during a 2011 cold snap. Governor Greg Abbott has called for an investigation into the grid operator's preparedness.
"This is an unacceptable situation that cannot be repeated," Abbott stated during a press conference.
National Guard Deployed
The Texas National Guard has been activated to assist with emergency response efforts, focusing on transporting vulnerable residents to warming centers and delivering essential supplies to those stranded by the weather.
