The US government is sending emergency aid to the winter-hit state of Texas. The southern state has been dealing with extremely low temperatures for days. There are problems with the electricity and there is also a shortage of water.
Disaster response service FEMA reports that emergency generators, diesel, water and blankets are being sent to the state. Sixty “very large” generators are on their way to Texas to power hospitals.
All kinds of solutions are attempting to keep medical institutions running. One hospital tries to save water by having patients shower less often, while another hospital scoops poo out of the toilets with trash bags. Some hospitals are trying to transfer patients, but that is difficult during the corona crisis.
In addition to the hospitals, many Texas residents are also facing problems as a result of the winter. Almost half a million households have been without electricity for four days. There were 2.7 million on Wednesday. In addition, millions of Texans do not have access to water.
The water problems have according to the local newspaper Houston Chronicle multiple causes. Water pipes burst open and the equipment in drinking water installations fails. Residents of Houston were instructed to first boil tap water before consumption.
The bad weather conditions are expected to last until Saturday. Authorities expect more fatalities to be found over time. Several dozen people were killed by the storm.
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