Current:Home > reviewsTexas officials put the final death toll from last year's winter storm at 246 -MoneyMatrix
Texas officials put the final death toll from last year's winter storm at 246
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:46:50
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! (24)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- U.S. sanctions fugitive dubbed The Anthrax Monkey and 2 other Sinaloa cartel members accused of trafficking fentanyl
- Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to retire in 2024
- My Hair Has Been Crease-Free Since 2019 Because of These Scrunchies With 18,100+ 5-Star Reviews
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- When is the next Mega Millions drawing? Record-breaking jackpot resets to $20 million
- Sixto Rodriguez, musician subject of 'Searching for Sugar Man,' dies at 81
- 2 still sought in connection with Alabama riverfront brawl that drew national attention
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Wildfires take Maui by surprise, burning through a historic town and killing at least 6 people
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Mega Millions winner? The best way to take your payout if you're worried about taxes.
- 2 robotaxi services seeking to bypass safety concerns and expand in San Francisco face pivotal vote
- Massachusetts joins a small but growing number of states adopting universal free school meals
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Falling tree kills a Georgia man who was driving during a violent thunderstorm
- Verizon wireless phone plans are going up. Here's who will be affected by the price hike
- Brody Jenner's Mom Reacts to His Ex Kaitlynn Carter's Engagement
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Suspending Kevin Brown, Orioles owner John Angelos starts petty PR war he can’t win
Irish mourners say goodbye to Sinéad O'Connor
NFL preseason games Thursday: Times, TV, live stream, matchup analysis
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Journalists seek regulations to govern fast-moving artificial intelligence technology
Irish mourners say goodbye to Sinéad O'Connor
Lahaina, Hawaii, residents share harrowing escape from devastating wildfires: 'Everything is gone'