Some communities urged residents to boil water before drinking, and Texas officials are not sure when power outages will end, according to local news reports from Dallas. The Weather Channel reported 17 people had died due to the storm.
The Rev. Wayne Walker of OurCalling, a Dallas-based homeless ministry, said his organization had been providing shelter at its building but became too crowded during the deep freeze. There was not enough space for people to stay warm while still keeping socially distanced.
One Dallas homeless shelter, where about 250 people were staying, temporarily lost power due to the storm, reported The Dallas Morning News. The city has also been relying on local hotels to provide winter shelter for the homeless during the pandemic.
Texans are reeling from freezing temps & snow storm that's left millions w/out power/heat. Churches & ministries are teaming up to meet need. They've opened emerg wrmg ctr at Bailey Hutch Conv Ctr & churches converting to emerg wmg shelters. Hearteninghttps://t.co/opVCu0eBSs
— Julie Roys (@reachjulieroys) February 18, 2021