Current:Home > FinanceTexas officials put the final death toll from last year's winter storm at 246 -ProfitClass
Texas officials put the final death toll from last year's winter storm at 246
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:30:04
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! (93)
Related
- NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
- When and where can I see the total solar eclipse? What to know about the path of totality
- The Wild Case of Scattered Body Parts and a Suspected Deadly Love Triangle on Long Island
- Gold ring found in Sweden about 500 years after unlucky person likely lost it
- Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
- Theft of cheap gold-chain necklace may have led to fatal beating of Arizona teen, authorities say
- Havertz scores late winner as Arsenal beats Brentford 2-1 to go top of Premier League overnight
- Honolulu police say they are investigating the killings of multiple people at a home
- Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain
- Ranking MLB's stadiums from 1 to 30: Baseball travelers' favorite ballparks
Ranking
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- States have hodgepodge of cumbersome rules for enforcing sunshine laws
- Francis Ngannou says Anthony Joshua KO wasn't painful: 'That's how I know I was knocked out'
- You'll Crazy, Stupid, Love Emma Stone's Shell-Inspired 2024 Oscars Gown
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Biden plans $30 million ad blitz and battleground state visits as general election campaign begins
- There shouldn't be any doubts about Hannah Hidalgo and the Notre Dame women's basketball team
- South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso shoves LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, is ejected with 5 other players
Recommendation
FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
All the Wildly Dramatic Transformations That Helped Stars Win at the Oscars
National Guard helicopter crashes in Texas: 3 killed include 2 soldiers, 1 US border agent
Costco is tapping into precious metals: First gold bars sold out now silver coins are too
How breaking emerged from battles in the burning Bronx to the Paris Olympics stage
Drew Brees announces scholarship for walk-ons in honor of Jason Kelce's retirement
Boeing says it can’t find work records related to door panel that blew out on Alaska Airlines flight
Why Ryan Gosling Didn't Bring Eva Mendes as His Date to the 2024 Oscars