Current:Home > NewsTexas officials put the final death toll from last year's winter storm at 246 -Keystone Capital Education
Texas officials put the final death toll from last year's winter storm at 246
Poinbank View
Date:2025-04-11 03:28:36
Nearly a year after a deadly winter storm left Texans freezing and in the dark, state officials say they know the final death toll.
The Texas Department of State Health Services adjusted the number of people who died from last February's storm to 246 people — up from July's tally of 210. The victims, who spanned 77 counties in Texas, ranged in age from less than one year old to 102.
Last February's massive winter storm spread ice, snow, and freezing temperatures throughout Texas. The state's weak utility grid couldn't stand up to the record-breaking cold and left millions without power for days.
Most of the storm's victims died from hypothermia, according to the state's report.
Dozens of people also died from accidents on roads, falls, and fires. The prolonged loss of power also led to some victims losing access to necessary medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks or dialysis machines. At least 19 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning as they tried to heat their homes or cars as the unrelenting cold continued.
The state's new report counts victims of the storm as those who were found after the storm passed and people who were injured during the storm, but died at a later date.
Since the deadly blackout, regulators in Texas have implemented changes forcing power companies to ramp up weatherization requirements at their facilities. So far, officials there are feeling confident that the "lights will stay on," according to Texas Public Radio.
The state's Public Utility Commission says it is enforcing those new regulations. Power plants had until December to file winter preparedness reports, though 13 of them did not do so.
veryGood! (894)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Why Travis Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs Teammate Hopes He and Taylor Swift Start a Family
- A woman is arrested in fatal crash at San Francisco bus stop that killed 3 people
- Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signs proclamation condemning antisemitism while vetoing bill defining it
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Why Travis Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs Teammate Hopes He and Taylor Swift Start a Family
- Heat-seeking drone saves puppy's life after missing for five days
- Oregon man found guilty of murder in 1980 cold case of college student after DNA link
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Rob Lowe's son John Owen trolls dad on his 60th birthday with a John Stamos pic
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- D.C.'s cherry blossoms just hit their earliest peak bloom in 20 years. Here's why scientists say it'll keep happening earlier.
- An Alabama sculpture park evokes the painful history of slavery
- Gisele Bündchen Details Different Ritual With Her Kids After Tom Brady Divorce
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby vows to keep passengers safe after multiple mishaps
- Missing NC mother, 2 young children found murdered in Charlotte, suspect arrested: Police
- An Alabama sculpture park evokes the painful history of slavery
Recommendation
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Dartmouth refuses to work with basketball players’ union, potentially sending case to federal court
$510 Dodgers jerseys and $150 caps. Behold the price of being an Ohtani fan in Japan
Brooke Burke Weighs In On Ozempic's Benefits and Dangers
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Sculpture park aims to look honestly at slavery, honoring those who endured it
Women's NCAA Tournament 2024: Full schedule, times, how to watch all March Madness games
Protecting abortion rights in states hangs in the balance of national election strategies